God’s Dwelling Within: Resurrection Power for Our Mission
“For the Souls in Purgatory – Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord”
John 14:23-29
“Jesus answered and said to him, “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me. “I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it takes place, so that when it happens you may believe.”
Grace Prayed For
The grace to deeply believe and experience the indwelling presence of the Trinity in our lives, allowing the peace of Christ to rule our hearts and empower us with boldness and clarity as we participate in the Great Commission.
Reflection
Imagine the weight of Jesus’ words in the shadow of his impending death. Yet, within them lies the radiant promise of the Resurrection’s enduring power. “We will come to him and make our dwelling with him.” This isn’t a distant God, but an intimate presence – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit taking up residence within our very being. The Resurrection shattered the barrier of sin and death, making this indwelling possible. It’s not just a theological concept; it’s the very source of our strength and courage as we step out to fulfill the Great Commission.
The peace Jesus offers is not the absence of earthly turmoil, but a deep-seated tranquility that transcends the chaos. It’s a peace born of knowing that God is with us, dwelling within us. This peace is the antidote to the fear and trouble Jesus speaks of. How can we be paralyzed by fear when the resurrected Christ, with all power in heaven and on earth, lives in us through the Holy Spirit? The Advocate, the very Spirit of truth, is our constant teacher and reminder of all Jesus taught. This is the divine empowerment for making disciples – we are not sent out empty-handed, but filled with the very presence and wisdom of God. The Resurrection wasn’t just about Jesus’ victory; it was the dawn of a new reality where God’s own life could flow through us, equipping us with His peace and His truth to reach a world longing for both.
Growing in Intimacy/Union with Jesus
This passage reveals an incredibly intimate aspect of our relationship with Jesus. It’s not just about following His teachings from afar, but about experiencing the Father and Son making their home within us. This promise of divine indwelling, made possible by the Resurrection, fosters a profound sense of closeness and connection. Knowing that God desires to dwell within us transforms our prayer life into a conversation with an ever-present companion. It encourages us to live in a way that honors this divine presence, deepening our love for Him and our desire to keep His word. This intimate union becomes the very foundation and motivation for fulfilling the Great Commission, driven not by obligation, but by the overflow of God’s love within us.
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Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post