'Don't worry, I have a friend who you have never met who will help you. It'll be fine. Trust me'
This is a very short paraphrase of John 14, verses 25-27. To fill the story in, Jesus has been denied by Peter 3 times, the disciples have just had the news broken to them that his time is coming, he won't be around much longer but will be coming back - and that a friend of his will be coming along to help and that the Father loves them.
In the space of 31 verses, Jesus has set out for the disciples the way forward, how they will be supported, and that they are going to witness something that will blow their minds with a crucifixion and rising from the dead.
Jesus talks about trust:
'Don't let this throw you, you trust God don't you? Trust me' John 14:1 [Message]
He then explains what will happen and concludes in v 31 that he is carrying out God's instructions.
I have to be honest, if I was there, I would have wanted to ask a few questions, ask if there was an instruction manual and was there online or telephone support. The answers would have been yes – read the scriptures, pray and ask around.
I remember a poster in my parents house many years ago with the quote:
'Faith is not faith until it's all you are holding onto'
I am really challenged by this idea – I like being in some sort of control but that isn't God's idea of the Christian life – stepping out in faith and being reliant on him rather than our own limited efforts is the key.
Today, think about what is your limiting feature? is God challenging you to step out in faith? and if so, what does that look like?
Richard Mason
Read the bible in a year: Proverbs 12:28-13:9, 1 Samuel 14:24-15:35, John 14:1-31
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