Peace and Victory

John 14:25-31

25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.

Notes

The Lord Jesus prepared His disciples for what was about to happen: His suffering, death, and resurrection. He promised the coming of the Holy Spirit to dwell in them forever. The Lord Jesus stated that if they loved Him, they would obey His commandments. He assured them that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit will dwell with those who love and obey. The Lord Jesus would then reiterate the promise of the Holy Spirit and His role.

1. The Holy Spirit

   The Lord Jesus called the Holy Spirit, the Helper. The Father will send the Holy Spirit in Jesus Christ’s name. The Holy Spirit also teaches the disciples all things and reminds them of the Lord’s words.

   
   25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you (John 14:25-26).

   Application: Praise the Father who sent the Holy Spirit. Let us trust in the work of the Holy Spirit, who helps us, guides us in all truth, reminds us of the Lord’s words, and teaches us. We believe the Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and Spirit—is One.

   
   

2. Peace and Rejoicing

   The Lord promised His peace, which was different from the world’s peace. The Lord Jesus repeated His directive: do not be troubled. Instead, He encouraged them to rejoice because He was returning to the Father, which meant completing the task. The Lord Jesus recognized the will of the Father as greater, which He fulfilled.

   
   27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I (John 14:27-28).

   The Son mentioned that the Father is greater. Does this mean they are not equal, as John had emphasized several times? No, it does not mean they are not equal (John 1:1,18). It does mean the Father’s scope is wider at that time since the Word became flesh. The Word took human form, which limited His scope. In that sense, the Father is greater. The phrase “greater than” is µείζων (meizon) in the Greek, which means larger or wider.

   28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:28-29).

   Application: We thank the Lord Jesus for His peace, which is unlike the world’s peace. Thus, we are not easily troubled or fearful because the Lord instructed us and because of His peace. Our assurance is knowing that God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit fulfill different roles for our salvation and spiritual growth.
   

3. Assurance of Victory

   The disciples did not grasp what the Lord was saying, but the Lord spoke His word so that they would believe. Once again, the author sheds light on the enemy, also known as the ruler of this world. The devil has no hold on Jesus. The Son's sacrifice happened because the Son obeyed the Father because He loved the Father.

   
   29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here. (John 14:28-31).

   Application: We should believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, which means believing His word. Let us also understand that God’s will overshadows the enemy. In the same way, God's will overshadows the enemy’s work in our lives. Therefore, we do not fear the enemy; we only fear God.

Reflection & Discussion

1. What specific roles does Jesus say the Holy Spirit will fulfill for the disciples?

2. Based on the peace of Christ, how should we respond to fear and trouble?

3. Why is Jesus’ departure a reason to rejoice?