Subscription Lists
Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
As we read and study John Chapters 13,14, we see Jesus Christ and His men around the Table partaking of the Passover meal and once the traitor Judas leaves, Jesus speaks about being glorified and loving one another as I have loved you. He is also answering the questions His disciples raise. Where are You going and How can we know the way and Who will we meet there if we follow You? Jesus answers thee important questions which His men raise. They can be questions people raise today.
The answers dispel all doubts and fears and just wondering.
I am going to prepare a place for you. I will come again for you. No one comes to the Father except through Me. When you have seen Me, you have seen the Father.
It is significant that Jesus Christ said these things and answered these questions to men who were soon to be sent out as apostles to preach and teach and heal and minister, and proclaim the whole Gospel. Jesus did not say these things to the crowds, because crowds would not be able to receive and embrace such teaching.
He shared these matters with men who cared, and who would, in two months time, be out there ministering powerfully under the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
There are truths Jesus will share with some people and not with others, but the truths He teaches here can be received by every true disciple of Jesus Christ.
With Jesus there are no secrets, when He is among His disciples, and when He is with His men.
It must be terrible to be all alone – all by yourself in this big bad world – and that is how the disciples are beginning to feel. Jesus had lovingly called them and chosen them. He had addressed them as ‘my children’. He has explained where He is going and how they can be with Him – although, not yet – and at this point these men are beginning to feel like little lost lonely orphans.
They were sensing they were going to be left all alone and Jesus seeks to comfort them.
Their virile young strong dynamic leader would soon be lying in a tomb – within 24 hours – and not one of them tried to comfort Him. The hour was now upon Him to be betrayed, arrested, put on trial and crucified. Jesus could have done with some comforting ministry, yet, Jesus takes time to comfort them.
To speak of some future re-union can be insufficient. They needed more immediate reassurance, so Jesus goes on. “I will not leave you alone – verse 18 – I will not leave you as orphans. I will not leave you with no one to lead you and guide you. I will not leave you to wander around on your own.
When Jesus was crucified these disciples were going to miss His Powerful Presence and the Peace that they felt when with Him. He was no longer going to be physically present and we know something of what that can mean when we lose a loved one – someone who has been close. When that person is no longer around, life can appear very different. Can you sense something of what is facing these men?
We cannot attempt to plumb the depths of these men’s hearts and mind. We have never been there, and in that precise situation.
It is at this point when all these thoughts are going through their hearts and minds that Jesus teaches – My leaving you will lead to bigger things – to greater works. My leaving you is going to increase the work.
Jesus is revealing that the work and ministry is going to expand and grow. There are going to be more opportunities for miracles. There are going to be more opportunities for washing feet – for serving. The ministry is going to be on a greater scale, until He ministers to people all over the world. When I go away I am not going to remove the power and ability that you have already experienced – I am going to increase that power.
Jesus relates all this to prayer. “Anything you ask – I will do it.”
Whatever you ask – I will do it – and Jesus puts no limitations on this – but He does say that it must be for God’s glory. This is one of the fundamental conditions of prayer. We are not just to pray for things - for our own blessing and comfort and convenience.
Our prayers must have that aim of bringing glory to God the Father. Jesus does say – you come to the Father in my name, as though it were I praying – now that is bold.
These disciples thought that they were going to miss His Presence, and Jesus mentions and explains how the Holy Spirit will be given to them.
When I go away – Another will come – the Comforter – the Counsellor – the Advocate – the One Who comes alongside and stands by you – the Fortresser or the one who make you brave – like a fort – like a fortified castle. Whatever I have been to you, He will be the same.
There is no record of them missing Jesus! Have you ever noticed that in Scripture?
Verse 17 – The world cannot accept Him, and the world neither sees Him nor knows Him. There are Christians and the world, and Christians are placed in the world to influence the world for God and for good – the salt and light.
This is the real division that runs through the whole of society – those who have the Spirit of Jesus and those who do not – those who are born again and those who are not – those who belong to Jesus Christ the Saviour and Lord and those who do not confess Jesus Christ with holy reverence.
Now – make this clear in your preaching and teaching whether it be in pulpit and Bible Class – no matter where it is, teach it clearly.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "Word from Scotland" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.