John 14:23-31 Scripture Study
By Pastor Chris Simmons – Trinity Lutheran Church, Paso Robles CA
A reinforcement/supplement study to our Sunday service meant for “Building up the body of Christ… the manifold Wisdom of God made known” (Ephesians 4+3)
For Sunday June 8, 2025
This week, the word is understanding. Understanding needs a relationship. I’m sure you have been caught in a circumstance when someone is telling you about themselves the entire time. To seek understanding in a relationship is to see how the relationship layers together. How do your interests mesh? What are ways in which you can or like to work together? We see God in a perfect relationship with Himself through the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This Sunday is Pentecost, where we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit. Let’s look at how the Holy Spirit functions not just in relationship with God, but relationship to us. Through His actions, we see the Spirit point us to Christ, and by faith grasping hold of the promises of God. Bryan Widstrand will be sharing the message this week, so below are just a few quick thoughts and discussion on the text.
Prayers for a blessed study.
Pastor Chris Simmons.
Discuss: What are some of the best teams you have worked with? What was that teamwork and relationship like?
2 John 14:15-21
15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
Those are some intense words from Jesus “If you love me, keep my commands”. Part of our time of confession and absolution in worship revolves around those Words. We do love Jesus, we strive to take His Word to heart, to love others as He has loved others, to seek first His Kingdom, to baptize and teach… but we also know ultimately, we fall short. Our sinful desires at times get the better of us, we strive to follow Jesus’ commands… but know we cannot do so without help.
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of 3 truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
We read here that we are indeed given help, assistance. An advocate… According to a quick definition, being an advocate means to actively support and promote the interests of a cause, person, or group.
Discuss: What do you learn about the Holy Spirit here? What is an advocate? What advocates have you had throughout your life?
As you consider what advocates you’ve had, they are often people seeking to protect you and raise you in the “right way”. Jesus promises to “not leave us as orphans”, to give us the picture of children without their parents. If in a good and Godly relationship, parents can be that prime example of an “advocate”. Hear these words from Proverbs 22:
Proverbs 22:5-6
5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked; whoever guards his soul will keep far from them. 6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
An advocate, like a good and Godly parent, takes a sincere interest in their child. Raising them well, even embracing the difficult times to set a “correct” path. So that, when they grow up, they become a flourishing adult of good character, morals, and values. Reflecting that good love of Christ for all in their lives, and their raising in the next generations. Good parents also protect their children from danger and harm, helping them avoid the “thorns and pitfalls” of life. Guarding their souls from harm and death. Jesus grants that for all of us, but as in His Ascension, He goes to rule on high at the right hand of the Father… so what should we do? Are we without protection, guidance, and care? Certainly not! Jesus sends to us the Holy Spirit.
John 14:21
Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.
We receive that same parental love and care from our Father… that the one who loves Jesus (keeps his commands) is loved by His Father, and Jesus to loves us. It is by that gift, the encouragement, that guidance of the Holy Spirit, that we grasp the promises of Jesus in Faith.
Discuss: Do you have any interesting “God stories”? Experiences you can’t quite explain, but felt a Godly presence and feeling wash over you?
John 14:15-27
25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
How does the Holy Spirit teach us? We are so used to traditional classroom methodology, we image a figure who stands at the front of a classroom and lectures us. I may just be reeeaaallly tardy to class, but I haven’t had that experience yet. The Holy Spirit moves and works through the teachings and Words for Scripture. How does it teach us? Jesus says it directly “will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” The Holy Spirit wants to take all things and remind you of the Words of Jesus. That’s what true Peace really is. The Word Jesus is using is shalom, the Hebrew word for Peace. It means something different than “peace and quiet”... Think of it as the “missing piece” of a puzzle. Shalom means “wholeness”... in the sense of “Being made whole with God.” The Holy Spirit points 6 you toward “the missing piece” in your “peace”... It’s always Jesus. The “piece” that restores our “peace” with God the Father and makes us whole and Holy.
Discuss: Where do you see a need for the “missing piece” that is Jesus to bring greater “peace”? Personally? Professionally? Globally?
John 14:28-31
28 “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. 30 I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, 31 but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me. “Come now; let us leave.
Yesterday, we had 8th grade graduation, the wrapping up of another school year. The prominent theme was our theme verse for the year “Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name, you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1). The Holy Spirit uses the Words of God to teach us about His promises and direct us to Jesus. In the Face of Fear, we forget. Be it when we see a mouse or spider, and forget how much bigger we are… But also, throughout life in times of uncertainty and change. Fear wants us to forget the promises of Christ… that we are not left alone or as orphans.
30 I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, 31 but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me.
The “prince of this world” reflects fear and darkness. As Jesus was beaten, humiliated, and crucified during the passion, Fear caused the disciples to forget the promises of Christ. Yet the Holy Spirit reminds us Jesus’ Words, that even the crucifixion and His death would teach us that Jesus Loved the Father, and did what the Father commanded… Remember how this all started? 15 “If you love me, keep my commands. Jesus shows us that perfect love as He did what the Father commanded. We are given the gift of the Holy Spirit to see that and trust in times of Fear, that Jesus conquered death for our sake.
28 “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.
Discuss: What do you learn about the relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in 16-17 and 25-27? What is the difference between how Jesus gives peace and how the world gives “peace”?
Prayer
What teachings of Jesus do you struggle with understanding the most? How can you share that with others, with your pastor (whose probably me…)?
Where do you need peace as only God gives in your life?
What promises of Christ mean the most to you? What can you do to help remind yourself of them?
Lord God, you live in perfect harmony with yourself: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Thank you for modeling that relationship for us, and we pray that as we go through life together we can love one another as you love us. Help us, by the Holy Spirit, to always seek after you… your will, your way, your gift of life as we seek to grow in faith, understanding you and your peace all the more. We Pray this all in your name Jesus. Amen.