I will not leave you as orphans [comfortless, bereaved, and helpless]; I will come [back] to you. 19 After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also. 20 On that day [when that time comes] you will know for yourselves that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you. 21 The person who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who [really] loves Me; and whoever [really] loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him [I will make Myself real to him].(AMP)
Jesus continues His discourse on leaving the disciples. Here He refers to orphans, which I’m sure is how some of them were imagining themselves to be when He left. Apparently, a Rabbi’s students were considered his children and when they died their students (children) were considered as orphans. The disciples would have known this and feared being left as orphans. Jesus said He would not leave them alone as orphans.
Spurgeon had some ideas about this that I embellished in my mind.
An orphan’s parents are gone (dead); Jesus said HE would be alive in them.
An orphan is left alone; Jesus told them He would never leave them alone.
An orphan has lost their provider; Jesus promised to meet all their needs.
An Orphan is left without instruction; Jesus said the Holy Spirit would teach them all things.
He closes this section with another reminder that this promise only applies to the ones who keep His commandments. We can memorize His commandments and can shout them to those around you. But, if we don’t KEEP His commands, we don’t really love Him. His commands must become second nature to us. We are not homeless, lonely, bereft orphans. We are God’s beloved children who will one day sit on the Father’s lap and hear, “well done child; I love you.!
He closes this section with another reminder that this promise only applies to the ones who keep His commandments. We can memorize His commandments and can shout them to those around you. But, if we don’t KEEP His commands, we don’t really love Him. His commands must become second nature to us. We are not homeless, lonely, bereft orphans. We are God’s beloved children who will one day sit on the Father’s lap and hear, “well done child; I love you! Thank You, Jesus!!
Journey with Joyce 