Believe, Welcome, Glorify

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John 14:15-24

This chapter started with a promise about a dwelling place for the disciples of Jesus with God. Now Jesus says “we will come and make our home with” anyone who loves him and obeys his teaching. “We” refers to Jesus and the Father. But he has also said loving and obeying him will lead to him asking the Father to send “another counselor,” the Holy Spirit. So the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, to be with us “forever” (verse ) seems to be a condition for the further loving of the Son and obeying him that leads to the indwelling of the fullness of God.

The indwelling of the Spirit also adds to our understanding of doing greater works than Jesus (John 14:12). Jesus leaves for “a little while,” and returns in his post-resurrection appearances, but the Spirit remains and empowers the human parts of that Body and the Body as a whole, to do things with exponentially growing power and effect (see Acts 2).

It is a simple order of things we ought to be able to follow: believe and obey the Son, welcome the Holy Spirit to empower us to continue as Christ’s Body, and glorify the Father. Believe, welcome, glorify. You could organize a whole church, or your life, around it: Believe, welcome, glorify; mirroring the work of the Trinity in and through us.

Prayer:
God, may I believe your Son died for me and now intercedes for me before your throne, welcome your Holy Spirit to bring to birth and empower new life, and glorify You through all you do through me as a result. Amen.