Lent Devotional Day 32

Day 32
Saturday, March 25

John 14:1-15

14 “Don’t be troubled. Trust in God. Trust also in me. 2 My Father’s house has room to spare. If that weren’t the case, would I have told you that I’m going to prepare a place for you? 3 When I go to prepare a place for you, I will return and take you to be with me so that where I am you will be too. 4 You know the way to the place I’m going.” 5 Thomas asked, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?”

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you have really known me, you will also know the Father. From now on you know him and have seen him.” 8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father; that will be enough for us.”

9 Jesus replied, “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been with you all this time? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I have spoken to you I don’t speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Trust me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or at least believe on account of the works themselves. 12 I assure you that whoever believes in me will do the works that I do. They will do even greater works than these because I am going to the Father. 13 I will do whatever you ask for in my name, so that the Father can be glorified in the Son. 14 When you ask me for anything in my name, I will do it. I won’t leave you as orphans. 15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

Reflection
Big theological concepts are shared in this passage of scripture. Heaven. Jesus’ identity. Humanity’s capacity. Prayer. Love.

The opening of this passage is “Don’t be troubled. Trust in God. Trust also in me.” 

I don’t know about you but all of these big themes could very well be troubling - and in fact have been during seasons of my life. I’m grateful for the wisdom of the opening sentences. Trust in God. Trust also in me. Do you have a difference of trust in God than Jesus? 

I will never understand the fullness of love, prayer, humanity’s capacity or Jesus but I do trust God. And this trust isn’t a kind of matter of fact, certainty rather it is an openness and hope that who God is through Jesus is real and true. Further, I’m grateful that my trust, like all of our trust, can increase over time.  Today, I trust Jesus more than I ever have.

How has your trust or view of Jesus changed over these days of Lent? 

Prayer
Jesus, thank you for your patience with me as I learn to trust you. Amen.

Charity Goodwin