Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: April 30, 2024

Date:   Tuesday of the 5th Week of Easter

 Scripture Text:  John 14:27-31a

Jesus said to his disciples: "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 happens, so that when it happens you may believe. I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me, but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me."

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel text today continues our reading of Jesus’ “Final Discourse with the Disciples” before his arrest, crucifixion, death and resurrection. In the pericope of today, Jesus gives his peace, the wholeness that salvation alone can bring. He also reminds his disciples that He is going to the Father who sent Him. We are reminded that our salvation is from the Father, through Christ. Then Jesus tells the disciples that the “ruler of the world is coming.” By this, Jesus means Satan. But Jesus immediately counters the acknowledgement of Satan’s place in the world by unequivocally stating that Satan has no power over Jesus. Finally, Jesus reminds the disciples, though they do not realize fully what He is telling them, that He will selflessly sacrifice himself for our salvation, for our wholeness, because He does what the Father wills and commands Him to do.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I open myself fully and truly to the “Peace” Christ offers to me, to salvation through my total embrace of Him as Son of God, Savior?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, we come before You full of awe and wonder. With grateful hearts we turn to You who sent your only begotten Son to save us when we as humanity were unwilling or unable to save ourselves. As we continue to remember and to celebrate your Son’s selfless sacrifice upon a cross so that we might have life, we recall also His words to us often, that He was sent by You and that He it was your will that we be saved. Send your Spirit to stir within us the fire of faithful love for You and for our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Grant that our faith be increased, our hope be deepened, and our love be transformative for us and for those whom we encounter on the way. We ask all this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.