John 14:23-29 (NRSV)
Read John 14:23-29 on biblegateway.com
Verse 23Jesus answered him, "Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Verse 24Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me.
Verse 25"I have said these things to you while I am still with you. Verse 26But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Verse 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.
Verse 28You heard me say to you, 'I am going away, and I am coming to you.' If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. Verse 29And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe.
Devotion
Facing death often unsettles us; a death can be so unsettling for those left behind. When we know death draws near for ones we love, we listen closely to what they say; we seek to catch any last utterance they offer. I didn't have that opportunity with my mom. She had a massive stroke on a Sunday. We reached her bedside about ten hours later, joining my siblings. She lay unresponsive. She lay like that until the next Saturday, not eating, drinking, or communicating. We five siblings and our spouses surrounded her bed that Saturday morning, heard a scripture passage, held hands as we prayed the Lord's Prayer, and then, as we prayed, heard the silence as she breathed her last breath. She spoke no last words like Jesus did. But her words and actions throughout her life assured us, like the words of Jesus, that we had nothing to fear because God loved her and us.
Prayer
God of presence and peace, your promises give us strength to face the unknown. Praise to you for Jesus, whose last words assure us that you never leave us to face the future alone. Amen.