Thursday, May 31, 2012

GOSPEL: John 14:23-27

Reading:
Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.   He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.   These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.   But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.   Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Commentary: 
In these words of our dear Savior, Jesus promised to send His disciples the Comforter, namely the Holy Ghost.  This occurred on the great day of Pentecost, 50 days after Jesus rose from the dead.  The Holy Spirit is called our Comforter, because He comforts troubled sinners with the grace of God, namely Jesus Christ.  It is He the Holy Ghost, True God, who brings to us the Gospel message that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, and as Jesus said, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."  It is from this life, Christ our Life, that we love God and seek in faith only to serve Him.  Hence Jesus said, "If a man love Me, he will keep my words" and correspondingly "He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings".  In the heart of unbelievers there is no will nor desire to obey God and keep His commandments.  Believers do love God and out of thankfulness we will to do all He has said.  Yet the confidence of our salvation never rests upon our works, but upon Christ alone who said, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

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