John 14:22-27 CSB
Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, "Lord, how is it you're going to reveal yourself to us and not to the world?" [23] Jesus answered, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. [24] The one who doesn't love me will not keep my words. The word that you hear is not mine but is from the Father who sent me. [25] "I have spoken these things to you while I remain with you. [26] But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you. [27] "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don't let your heart be troubled or fearful.
Returning Love
Have you ever known someone who is part of a group—someone active but who rarely speaks? You may not remember any profound sayings from them because their actions have always spoken louder than their words. Then, one day, they finally ask a question. This is the moment we find in today’s reading.
An Apostle who is only documented here in all the Gospels asks a question, and you can almost feel the shift in the room’s attention. When a person who rarely speaks finally finds their voice, their words bring a sharp focus to the conversation. Judas (not Iscariot)—whom many believe is actually Thaddaeus—asks, “Why not reveal yourself to the world as you have revealed yourself to us?” You can see the wheels turning in his head. The world had seen the miracles and the public displays of power, but they lacked the one-on-one explanations Jesus gave His followers. Thaddaeus likely thought that if the world could just understand the glory of Jesus as they did, they would finally believe.
Jesus responds with a simple but thunderous answer: “If they love me, they will keep my words, and the Father and I will make our home with them.” Only then will they truly understand. This is the will of the Father. Those who love the darkness will continue to run from the Light, making any excuse to justify their unbelief. But for the believer, one cannot claim obedience to Christ or a real faith in Jesus without loving His individual commands and teachings.
It is like having a great King—or in our modern day, a President—who is worthy of honor. If we hear they want to visit our humble house, we immediately begin to clean. We put everything in its place and prepare our greatest dish to satisfy the guest. Our house may not be as glorious as a palace, but it is prepared as well as it can possibly be. When the Lord arrives and sees that we love Him, He sits down to have fellowship with us.
We are not saved by these “cleaning” works, but our works prove our faith. A follower will grow in the Lord, doing the things He requires as we become more like Him. Many underestimate the power the Holy Spirit gives us over sin. While we all lose battles with sin in our lives, we praise God that we can confess those failures, knowing He is faithful and just to forgive us. The Holy Spirit teaches us the things of God as we listen to the Lord’s words and apply them to our lives. This is not just a belief; it is a following.
The disciples were deeply troubled by the events of the last few days. Jesus was pointing to His death, and the mood in the room had shifted. There was something heavy in the air; they knew change was coming. In the midst of that tension, Jesus calmed their fears: “You have peace in me. Do not be afraid.” This promise remains for us today. The world may storm with a mighty, howling wind, but Jesus stands in front of us, shielding us from the gale.
Reflection Questions
- Like Judas (Thaddaeus), do you ever wonder why God doesn’t make Himself more obvious to the unbelieving world? How does Jesus’ answer—that He reveals Himself through us—change your perspective? We are the witness; how can you be a witness today?
- If you knew the Lord was physically walking into your home today, what “cleaning” (spiritual or behavioral) would you feel most compelled to do? How does the Holy Spirit help you in that preparation?
- When the “howling winds” of life’s circumstances begin to blow, do you tend to look at the storm or at the One standing in front of you? How can you practically “let” His peace guard your heart today?
Prayer
Father,
I thank You for the privilege of being a home for Your Spirit. I confess that I sometimes focus more on the storm outside than the Peace that lives within. Help me to love Your commands and to prepare my heart as a fit dwelling place for You. When I fail and my “house” becomes cluttered with sin, thank You for the grace of confession and the power of the Holy Spirit to teach and correct me. I rest in Your peace today, knowing I am protected by Your hand.
Amen.
