Not Left as Orphans

Sermon Notes Easter 6 10th May John 14:15-21 by Mark Stuckey

If you’ve ever stood at a doorway watching someone you love leave – maybe a child heading off to school, a spouse leaving for a trip, or a friend moving away – you know the ache of separation. I personally felt the ache of separation when I had to work in Port Macquarie for 6 months in 2024 and then felt that same ache when Loretta had to work in Bourke for a week back in March this year. The ache of separation is real, because we miss our loved ones when they are not present and away from us. In John 14, our Gospel passage for today, the disciples are standing in that emotional doorway. Jesus is preparing them for His departure, and their hearts are troubled. 

But Jesus doesn’t leave them with fear. He leaves them with a promise – actually, several promises – and they are just as true for us today.

Our Gospel reading for this morning gives us three anchors for the Christian life.

1.   Love for Jesus is expressed through obedience.

2.   Jesus gives us the Holy Spirit – Our Advocate, Helper, and Companion.

3.   Jesus does not leave us as Orphans – He comes to us!

Anchor 1 – Love for Jesus is expressed through obedience

Our first anchor begins with Jesus providing the Disciples with a simple but challenging line: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” 

Jesus doesn’t say, “If you fear me,” or “If you want to impress me.” He says, “If you love me.” “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” is one of the most misunderstood lines in the Gospel. For Peter, James, John, Andrew and Thomas (the disciples), and for us it’s easy to get tangled up in what this opening sentence is saying. 

Jesus is not setting up a test. He is not saying:

·      “If you really love me, you’d better obey.”

·      “Your obedience earns my affection.”

·      “Your performance determines our relationship.

These would turn the gospel into a merit system.

Instead, Jesus is describing the natural fruit of a relationship rooted in love. 

Love points to obedience. Not: Obedience points to love.

In other words, obedience is not a condition for love—it’s the fruit of love.

When you love someone deeply, their desires shape your actions. Love transforms obedience from a burden into a response. 

When you hear Jesus say, “If you love me, keep my commandments,” hear it as: 

“Your love for me will naturally shape your life – and I will give you the Spirit so that you can live in my love.” I will repeat that… “Your love for me will naturally shape your life – and I will give you the Spirit so that you can live in my love.”  

It’s not pressure. It’s a promise. It’s not a demand. It’s a description. It’s not law. It’s life. 

After Jesus has encouraged the disciples to love him, he moves to sharing with them how he will help them and this brings us to the second anchor needed for a Christian life whereby Jesus gives us the Holy Spirit – our advocate, helper and companion. 

Anchor 2 - Jesus Gives Us the Holy Spirit—Our Advocate, Helper, and Companion

Jesus promises: “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you forever.” Here we pick up on what Desiree was sharing with us last week about the three persons of the Trinity. Jesus is not acting alone. He is revealing the inner life of God.

·      The Son asks

·      The Father gives

·      The Spirit comes

This is Trinitarian life in motion. Jesus is saying “My departure doesn’t end my care for you. I will continue to intercede for you.” 

The disciples are not losing Jesus’ advocacy – they are gaining it in a new form. The Father will give you another Advocate – meaning someone like Jesus. The word another (Greek: allon) means another of the same kind, not to be confused with another of a different kind. In this case it is another of the same kind. 

Jesus is saying: “The Spirit will be to you what I have been to you.”

This was staggering to the disciples who were in the Upper Room with Jesus. Are you staggered by this claim?

The Spirit is not:

·      A downgrade

·      A substitute teacher

·      A vague spiritual feeling

The Spirit is Jesus’ own presence extended.

Everything Jesus was to the disciples – teacher, comforter, guide, strength – the Spirit now becomes. 

The Spirit is God dwelling in us, empowering us to live the life Jesus calls us to. Think about these times in your life: 

Where we feel weak, the Spirit strengthens. Where we feel confused, the Spirit guides. Where we feel alone, the Spirit comforts. Where we feel tempted, the Spirit empowers. 

With the Spirit dwelling in us you are never left to follow Jesus alone.

We move to our third anchor needed for a Christian life whereby Jesus does not leave us as orphans – He come to us. 

Anchor 3 - Jesus Does Not Leave Us as Orphans—He Comes to Us

Our third anchor begins with Jesus saying something tender and profound: “I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you.” 

The disciples feared abandonment. You could make an argument that they were terrified. Understandably, it was an emotional time for them. For us how would we react?

·      Jesus has spoken of going away

·      They don’t understand where?

·      They fear losing the One who called them, taught them, loved them.

They had left everything to follow Him. He is their teacher, protector, guide, friend. 

So, when Jesus says: “I will not leave you as orphans,”. He is speaking directly into their deepest fear: the fear of being left alone in a hostile world. 

For us we may often fear the same because we live in a world where we can experience brokenness and hostility. It is comforting to know that we have Jesus’ ongoing presence in our lives journeying with us, through the Spirit, through His Word, through His people, through His resurrection life in us. 

In the ancient world, orphans were – vulnerable, unprotected, without inheritance, without guidance, socially powerless. To be an orphan was to be exposed. Jesus is saying: “You will not be spiritually unprotected. You will not be left without guidance. You will not lose your identity or inheritance. You will not be alone.” 

He says, “Because I live, you also will live.”  

Our life is tied to His life. Our hope is tied to His victory. Our future is tied to His resurrection. And then He adds: 

“You will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.” 

This is union. This is intimacy. This is the heart of the Christian life. Not just believing in Jesus. Not just following Jesus.

But being united with Jesus. 

You are not abandoned. You are not forgotten. You are not alone.

John 14:15–21 gives us a picture of the Christian life that is both beautiful and practical:

·      Love expressed through obedience

·      Obedience empowered by the Spirit

·      Life sustained by the presence of Jesus

This is not a faith of striving. It is a faith of abiding. It is not a faith of fear. It is a faith of belonging. It is not a faith of isolation. It is a faith of divine companionship. 

A Pastoral Word for Today

Some of you may feel spiritually dry. Some may feel abandoned. Some may feel like you’re trying to follow Jesus on your own strength.

Hear Jesus’ promise again: “I will not leave you as orphans.”

The Spirit is with you. Christ is in you. The Father loves you. You are held. You are known. You are never alone. 

Conclusion

As we walk out of this passage, hold onto these truths:

• Love Jesus by trusting His way.

• Rely on the Spirit who empowers you.

• Rest in the presence of Christ who never leaves you.

Because He lives, you live. Because He is with you, you can obey. Because He has claimed you, you are never an orphan.

Mark Stuckey, LLM