Lately I have been reading the Gospel of John for my quiet
times. I love reading the gospels and
wondering what it might have been like to follow Jesus during His time on
earth. Would I have joined the group of helpful women who followed the band of disciples
and Jesus? Would I have sat with Mary to
listen to Jesus teach? Would I have been brave or desperate enough to touch the
hem of Jesus’ robe to be healed?
This Jesus lives now in every believer. Do I remember that often enough? Probably not, but I want to.
But back to John.
Chapters 13-17 are the final teachings that Jesus gave to His disciples
before He was arrested, tried, and crucified.
I imagine that for years to come the disciples thought back on this time
with their Savior and His last words to them.
Last words are indeed important to pay attention to.
While reading chapter
14 I was struck by the number of dramatic, eternally valuable statements that
Jesus makes. I will share a few things
that particularly stand out to me – they are part of my story of finding Jesus
as my Savior.
John 14:1-3 Jesus promises to prepare a place for us
forever, He promises He will come again, and we will be with Him for all
eternity. Until I got involved in Cru
during my college years, I always hoped but was never sure I had eternal life.
John 14:6 This is a bold statement by Jesus and so important
for us to understand. Why is Jesus the
only way to the Father? As a student at
VA Tech many years ago, I asked God this question very sincerely. It was in reading John that I found the
answers.
John 14:12-14 Read these verses slowly and believe that
Jesus truly wants to live His life through you and me. Amazing! Jesus and God the Father and the
Holy Spirit in me!
John 14:16-17, 26 The promise of the Holy Spirit to live in
us, to help us, to teach us.
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you;
not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, not
let it be afraid.” I was so afraid as a
freshman: would I choose the right major? Would I have a job when I
graduated? Would I meet the right man
and get married? Would I ever stop being anxious? This peace that Jesus gives is stronger than
all those fears. He changed my life.
Growing up in a
wonderful Christian family, I left for college thinking I had a strong faith in
God. During my first two years at Tech I
realized that my knowledge of God needed to become personal; I needed to really
know who Jesus is and the ministry of His Holy Spirit. Someone challenged me to read the Gospel of
John and ask God to show me about Himself and what is true. I did read John then and He did show me! My life has never been the same. I still love
reading the Gospel of John.
Nita is a graduate of VA Tech, joined Cru staff in 1972, and has served with Cru in New England and several areas of the world as well as with Cru Military. Presently she serves with Cru Valor as a part of the National Leader Team. She loves family, reading, gardening and her dog Lucy.
