Takeaways
Jesus is having a private discussion with His disciples in the upper room, shortly before His death. He is telling them as much as they can bear in the moment, sharing that He will be gone for a little while, and they will lament, but sorrow will turn to joy. (Remember that the disciples don’t have the benefit of knowing how everything turns out.)
Jesus also encourages them by saying that “He is preparing a place for them.” We often think of this merely as a future home in heaven, but it is much more. He is crafting an ongoing life with Him that is experienced through abiding and asking, from which we will see fruit.
The anchor point of this concept, for the disciples AND us is:
Jesus is in the Father.
The Father is in Jesus.
They (we) are in Jesus.
And the Holy Spirit helps us experience a meaningful life in God that leads to
- Experiencing joy no one can take away
- Experiencing peace in tribulation
- Never being alone.
Part of abiding in such a life is much asking. Jesus encourages disciples to ask things. This goes beyond sending God many wish list requests; it is about remaining close to God, listening for His guidance, and then praying and asking accordingly. For example, we can pray and ask:
- Would you glorify your name in this situation?
- Would you help me see fruit (such as joy and peace) in this relationship? (Fruit is not something we conjure up but instead experience as we ask, trust, depend, obey.)
- What do you want me to learn?
- How do you want me to pray for this person?
- Would you kindle in me a greater affection for You?
Jesus in the Father. The Father in Jesus. Us in Jesus. The Spirit helps us ask and abide, producing His fruit in us. This is the anchor point of a rich life in Him.
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Reflection Prompters
1. What have you typically used as an “anchor” point for your faith journey? Does this message reframe anything for you?
2. Jesus revealed to the disciples as much as they could bear.. Thank Him for doing the same for you. You can rest in not knowing every detail of every situation.
3. Fruit bearing occurs first through asking. What types of things do you typically ask God for? How could you go deeper this year?
4. Review the following additional verses:
John 14:13-14, 16
John 16: 23-24, 26
John 15:7
5. Spend time daily in our 21 Days of Prayer/Abiding in a Limitless God.
