Tuesday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Almighty God: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of my heart through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ my Lord. Amen.

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Morning Reading – John 14:15-24 (NLT)

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

“If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”

Judas (not Judas Iscariot, but the other disciple with that name) said to him, “Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?”

Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me.

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Morning Reflection:

Today’s reading is a continuation of yesterday’s – click here. The disciples were troubled because Jesus told them that he would soon be leaving them. And today, Jesus moves the conversation along –

• From believing in him – “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father!” – John 14:9
• To loving and obeying him – “If you love me, obey my commandments.” – John 14:15

Jesus links believing in him with loving him, and loving him with obeying him. Follow Jesus’ reasoning:

If we believe that Jesus, the Word of God, was “with God and was God,” then are we are to love him (with all our heart, all our soul, and all our strength). Obedience, then, is the natural consequence of our love.

And Jesus restates it three times –

1. “If you love me, obey my commandments.” (vs 15)
2. “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me.” (vs 21)
3. “All who love me will do what I say.” (vs 23)

But obedience is not simply an act of our will. Jesus knows that we will need help –

“I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.” – John 14:16-17

Questions for consideration:

• Do you believe that Jesus is worthy of the same love and devotion due God? Please explain.
• Is it possible to love Jesus without obeying him? Please explain.
• Is it possible to obey Jesus without loving him? Please explain.
• Is it possible to love and obey Jesus without the help of the Holy Spirit? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Lord Jesus: I believe that you and the Father are one, and with the Holy Spirit, you are one God – the same yesterday, today, and forever. Help me love you with all my heart, and all my mind, and all my strength that I might serve you faithfully and do the work you have given me to do – to the honor and glory of your Name. Amen.

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“If Ye Love Me” – Cambridge Singers under John Rutter (Thomas Tallis)

If ye love me, keep my commandments, and I will pray the Father,

and he shall give you another comforter,
that he may ‘bide with you forever, e’en the spirit of truth.
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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen