Lessons from John 14: Jesus Dwells in You
Jesus went on to encourage His disciples that though the world cannot accept Him because it neither sees nor knows Him, they indeed know Him. He lived with them and would soon dwell in them.
Jesus assured them in verse 18 that He would not leave them as orphans. He had not asked them to leave everything behind in order to leave them helpless or without a helper now. No!
The world would not be able to see Jesus anymore as a result of their denial and rejection of Him. Jesus promised in verse 19 that His disciples would indeed not only see Him again, they would also live with Him.
You see, Jesus was going to die and the world (those apart from Christ) would see Him no more. But because death was not the end of Jesus’ story, He would rise from the dead, according to the will of the Father. He would crush Satan’s hold on eternal death and those who place their faith in Jesus Christ. And therefore Jesus promised that they too would be raised to new life.
Jesus said in verse 20, “On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.”
Wow! What a promise! Jesus said He would live in believers, in the person of the Holy Spirit.
So, to what does “that day” refer?
Well, one possibility is that you could take John 14:2 to mean that Jesus was referring to the day He returns for His own at the end of history. Or you could go along the lines of John 14:18-19 which refer to His resurrection day which was only three days away.
You could think along the lines of John 14:16-17 & 25-26 where Jesus refers to the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit illuminated the minds of the disciples to see the mystery of the Father and the Son’s relationship.
I tend to believe that Jesus was referring to all three. He often times makes one statement which is inclusive of several meanings.
You see, Jesus was going away to fulfill the Father’s plan of redemption. Jesus would execute that plan of redemption by becoming our sin sacrifice and satisfying the wrath of God for that sin. Jesus would redeem (or buy back) those who place their faith in Him by defeating Satan and eternal death and separation from God, on the cross. Thus setting free those who place their faith in Him.
And therefore anyone who confesses Jesus as their Lord and Savior finds that not only does He live in them, they live in Him. The way this is manifested is that the believer no longer lives as they used to! They have indeed become a new creation in Christ Jesus. And, the presence of the Holy Spirit resides within them.
The promised Holy Spirit indwells believers and guides them in the truth of God’s word.
The question is, are you certain the Holy Spirit indwells you because you have Him through the person of Jesus Christ?
If not, please open your Bible and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth of who God is–specifically the person of Jesus Christ. Because the only way to know God the Father is through His Son, Jesus Christ.
And if you have indeed trusted in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, the question is are you studying His holy and precious Word?
Are you trusting in His Spirit to guide you into a deeper love and knowledge of who God is?
Have you been learning what it is He desires for and from you?
Are you not only trusting, but living the life He has called and equipped you to live?
If not, why not?
Just as Jesus promised to be away from His disciples for only a short time, so He is away from us. However, He will come for us as well. Knowing that should encourage you and fill your heart with hope.
Remember, when bad days come, and they will because we live in a fallen, broken world, that a better day is soon to come.
So the question here is, are you seeing your todays in light of a bright hope for the tomorrow that is sure to come?
Because it will, just as Jesus promised!
Do you live as if it is so?
Terri Hamman
Faith & Fitness Coach