6th Sunday of EasterMay 10, 2026The Farewell Discourse

Gospel: John 14:15-21

⁵ “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

¹⁶ I will ask the Father, and He will give you another ^[g]Helper, so that He may be with you forever; ¹⁷ the Helper is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him; but you know Him because He remains with you and will be in you.

¹⁸ “I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. ^19 [h]After a little while, the world no longer is going to see Me, but you are going to see Me; because I live, you also will live. ²⁰ On that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I in you. ²¹ The one who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and the one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will reveal Myself to him.” 

Gospel Commentary:

This passage focuses on the transition from Jesus’ physical presence to his spiritual presence within the community of believers through the Holy Spirit.

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The Cycle of Love and Obedience (v. 15, 21)

Jesus defines love not as a feeling, but as active faithfulness.

• The Guardrail: Loving Jesus is validated by “keeping” his commandments.
  
• The Reward: Obedience creates a capacity for the believer to receive a deeper revelation of God. It is a reciprocal relationship: we move toward Him in obedience, and He manifests Himself to us.

The Gift of the Parakletos (v. 16–17)

Since Jesus is physically leaving, he promises a legal and personal successor.

• The Parakletos: This specific term refers to “one called alongside.” In a BEC context, this is powerful—it means the Spirit is our Advocate, Counselor, and Comforter.
  
• The “Other”: Jesus describes the Spirit as “another” of the same kind. The Spirit continues exactly what Jesus started, ensuring the community is never truly alone.

Ending the “Orphan” State (v. 18–20)

• Divine Presence: Jesus promises he will not leave his followers as “orphans.” This is a communal promise; the Spirit provides a sense of belonging and identity.
  
• The Great Indwelling: Verse 20 describes a “nesting” relationship: Jesus is in the Father, the believers are in Jesus, and Jesus is in the believers. This creates a mystical union where the life of God flows directly into the life of the community.

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Reflection Questions

For Personal Reflection

In what specific area of my life is my “love for Jesus” currently being tested by the call to “keep his commands”? Am I relying on my own strength, or am I inviting the Parakletos to stand alongside me in that struggle?

For the BEC (Small Faith Community)

Jesus promised that we would not be left as orphans. How can our BEC better manifest the presence of the Parakletos so that those in our neighborhood who feel “orphaned,” lonely, or abandoned can experience the comfort and advocacy of God through us?