v18 I once thought that this verse referred to Jesus coming back in the 2nd Coming, but in context I now see that Jesus is referring to our daily living here and now in the church age. It seems odd at first that He would say that we’re not fatherless orphans due to the fact that Jesus, the Son is coming to us – I’d think that he would say that it’s because the Father is coming to us; but a few verses earlier (v10), Jesus says that He is in the Father and the Father is in Him, so this ties nicely.
Going back to v16, we see that the only condition to receive the Holy Spirit is to become a believer (“the world cannot receive” Him). Afterward, the Holy Spirit is with all believers “forever” and without condition – we don’t have to be obedient to have Him in us. However, in v.21 & 23 we see that the Jesus and the Father disclose Themselves, come to, and make Their abode/home only to those believers who love Jesus, learn his commandments and keep them. If we do that, then we will have the Big 3 – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit – all living in us! Wow, what an incentive to learn & live His Word!
v19 Jesus is predicting His death but that He will continue to live. He’s giving the disciples information that they don’t have to be afraid when Jesus is crucified because He will defeat death. Because Jesus will raise Himself from the dead, He will prove that He can raise them and all believers from the dead as He promises He will do. After all, if Jesus can’t raise Himself from the dead, how can we expect Him to be able to raise us? But, of course, the disciples still don’t understand that truth yet.
v24 Now that’s convicting. We can SAY that we love Jesus, and might even have gushy feelings for Him; but, if we don’t keep His words, we do not love Him. Thankfully that’s not a permanent condition, at anytime we can increase in our living for Him and loving Him.
v25 Jesus is physically abiding with and making His home with the disciples – highlighting the significance of His just saying in v23 that He and the Father will spiritually abide with all faithful believers.
26 I take this verse literally. Before reading the Bible, I try to remember to ask the H.S. to teach me as I read. And there have been times that I need to remember something – and have asked the H.S. to please bring it to mind.
