Peace, I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27
Memory verses for this week are listed at the end of the devotion. The reason I selected these verses is because they will enable your conversation when sharing the Gospel by:
- reminding us that God’s promise is true and provides peace to our souls
- showing that our belief in Jesus is vital because we can’t get to God without the Savior
- Keeping God’s moral law and the new covenant law of Jesus will be our desire when we belong to Him
The Gospel of John is filled with so many memorable moments between the disciples and Jesus. John’s perspective of walking with Jesus is intensely personal and poignant.
By the time Jesus and the disciples have made their way to the upper room, there’s no longer any doubt about the danger they are facing. Their association with Jesus has elicited from each man a commitment to follow or a decision to turn away.
You know about the one who rejected Christ. This is not his story.
Though this conversation is with each of the disciples, Jesus looks squarely into the hearts of three in particular. Thomas, Phillip and Thaddeus (The other Judas, not Iscariot).
Thomas
Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
John 14:5 & 6
Philip
Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.”
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me?
The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.“
John 14:8-10
Thaddeus (your translation may refer to him as Judas/Jude)
Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?”
Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me. “If you love Me, keep My commandments.“
John 14:23-24
Take the time this week to read all of John 14. Think intentionally about where these men were and how close they were to witnessing the Savior’s death, burial, and resurrection.
Then put yourself in the scene. Here was the moment of truth. They could leave it all behind. Or it was time to fully engage and be willing to follow without turning back. Eleven of them followed Jesus to the end.
That ought to make you, a believer, stop and be thankful. The Savior of the world chose you, too. How can you rededicate your days to Jesus?
MEMORY VERSES-
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.” John 14:1
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.“ John 14:6
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” John 14:15
Share the Good News in your world!
Isaiah 52:7
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Getting the Seed out of the basket and into hungry hearts. Matthew 13 