Reading Plan:
John 14:15-31

Our Thoughts:
Mwen p'ap kite nou òfelen. Mwen ap vin jwen nou. Jan 14:18

As I stood in the dimly-lit room in a small, modest orphanage outside Port-a-Prince, Haiti, I read and re-read the words painted on the brightly colored wall. The words were a well-known verse written in Haitian Creole: “I will not leave you as orphans. I am coming for you. John 14:18.” After witnessing such great need, suffering, and hopelessness in the days leading up to this moment, the words seemed heavier than usual.

Frozen by conflicting emotions, I silently said a prayer, "Lord, these children will probably always be orphans, without parents, without a permanent home, without a mom to care for them, without a father to protect and love them. The workers who care for them do their best, but these children will likely never have a family to put their needs first. Does this promise wound them each time they walk through the room and look up at the wall? Lord, it doesn’t seem fair that these children have to be alone.” But in the middle of my prayer, I was reminded of the context and promises of John 14:18.

In John 14, Jesus was leaving, but He promised to not leave His disciples alone. Not to leave them as orphans. He sent the Spirit of truth to those who loved Him. Because of this love, the Father would make a home with His children. Jesus wanted His disciples to understand this promise of love.

This love that Jesus speaks about is personal. “If anyone loves me…my Father will love him.” This is a promise of a close, affectionate relationship with a good Father. God wants us to love Him personally, not just the idea of Him or what we think He can do for us, but to love Him for who He is-Father, Creator, Comforter, Judge, Redeemer.

When we love Jesus, we reverently regard his teachings and ways. We don't just know them and respect them, but we trust them as promises. The mark of the Father’s children is love, and love is demonstrated through obedience.“If you love me, you will keep my commandments” John 14:15. We see Jesus’s example of obedience to the Father all throughout the Gospels, and here on His last night with His disciples, Jesus reminds His disciple WHY He was obedient even unto death: “…so that the world may know that I love the Father” (John 14:31). Jesus’s why is our why.

While praying in the orphanage in Haiti, I realized the verse painted on the wall was a message of hope. Every orphan deserves a loving home with parents who love and care for them; in fact, James 1:27 calls us to care for the needy, the orphans, and the widows. But even if the children must stay in the orphanage, they are not without hope. The painted wall is a reminder of the promises that Jesus spoke about to His disciples 2,000 years before. Jesus promises that if we love Him, God will be our Father, our family, and our home. This is the earthly promise and the eternal hope of the Gospel.

Jesus did not leave us alone on earth to stumble our way through life; He sent the Holy Spirit so that the Father could make a home with us and dwell with us. He also promised He would come again for us so that we could spend eternity with Him and the Father. He calls us sons and daughters of the King. (2 Corinthians 6:18) No matter our earthly situation, no matter what kind of family we grew up in, or what kinds of struggles we face, those who love God will never be orphans. They will never be alone, because, in His perfect love, the Father dwells with us, reveals himself to us, and cares for us as His children. Even in darkness, seemingly hopeless situations, God is there, and His promise of love always remains.

More Questions:
How has God shown His love for you in dark, uncertain circumstances?
How can you demonstrate your love for God through obedience today?

Prayer:
Lord, thank You for Your Son who made a way for us to have a relationship with You. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit who guides us, comforts us, and reveals truth to us. Thank You for loving us, Father. Thank You for making a home with Your children. Help us to live and love the way Your Son demonstrated. Lord, guide us in Your ways so that the world can know Your love.


Author: Amy Fontenot