Day 316

In the Upper Room with Jesus

Read: John 13-16

What great teachings Jesus has for us in these chapters. He teaches us by example in the foot washing that we are to rid our hearts of pride and to serve each other gladly. How easy that is to say, how difficult it is to do.

Jesus tells us that our hearts need not be troubled because heaven is like a large house in which he has prepared a room for each of us and to which he will personally escort us when he meets us at death. There is only one way to our Father’s eternal house and that is Jesus. We must take that way and tell people everywhere, for it is the only way.

Jesus is the vine, we are the branches. By faith we are joined to the vine. Without that relationship we can do nothing, but as Paul says, with that relationship we can do all the things he wants us to do. Only through that relationship can we produce the fruit of the Spirit, which consists of qualities like those displayed by Jesus in his life when he was on earth.

Jesus teaches us about love. We are not just to love one another, but we are to love one another as he has loved us. How is that? Sacrificially, unselfishly. What a challenge! How difficult! But possible through Christ and yielding wonderful blessings.

Jesus promises that the Spirit will lead us into all truth. Let us study the Word, which the Spirit has inspired.

PRAYER
Father, how wonderful to listen to Jesus speak to us through the Word! Give us grace to trust and obey. Amen.