Note: as I am studying and reading scripture on the Thursday before Resurrection Sunday, I share with you these notes, not to expound, but just to encourage you to open up the Bible and read them for yourselves and let the Word & Spirit convict, encourage, and instruct you accordingly!

Wouldn’t you want to know what Jesus taught during his last 24hrs on earth with his disciples?!

Well, good news! John gives us these red letters.

Today, I highly encourage you to read all of John 14-John 17. It’s jam-packed with teachings from the Last Supper to the early hours of Friday morning in the Garden of Gethsemane. I wonder how the disciples handled all of this information. Perhaps that’s why they were so tired and Peter, James, & John couldn’t even keep their eyes open when Jesus specifically asked them to stay awake while he prayed!

You’re going to see some incredibly powerful Words.

#1. Jesus teaches us about the Holy Spirit.

  • He’s a “he” not an it
  • He’s our helper
  • He will always point to TRUTH, and Jesus himself
  • He will help us make sense of truth, righteousness, sin, judgment
  • The disciples were confused by what Jesus was saying. What good news that he would provide a counselor to make sense of this, “for he dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:17

#2. Jesus says a few times, “If you love me you will keep my commandments.”

Think about that. We often emphasize how much he loves us. But in John 21 we see Jesus ask Peter, “Do you love me?” And here we see Jesus saying, If you do…then show it by your actions. (Faith + works)

#3. Jesus says a few times, “Ask in my name and you will receive.”

John 14:14 If you ask me, anything in my name, I will do it.

#4. Jesus prays for us.

  • That God protects us from the evil one
  • That we live in this world but are not of it

#5. Jesus tells us that we will be hated.

John 15: 18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.

He talks about the peace He gives us…

He talks about us ABIDING in him always because apart from him we can do nothing (John 15)

And of course what I find of utmost importance for anyone who claims there are multiple paths for salvation, Jesus makes it clear that Christianity is exclusive.

John 14:6 (read and memorize): Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Anyways, don’t forget the context. These teachings lead up to the moment Judas Iscariot betrays Jesus and the brutality of the Cross begins.

Then…Sunday happens!

We’ll rap more on Resurrection Sunday.

God Bless,

Coach Theo

#ItsNotAboutUs