Good Morning Friends,
There is a question raised in John’s Gospel and lived out in Acts: Why doesn’t Jesus reveal Himself to the whole world in the flesh? And flowing from that comes a personal question with no right or wrong answer: In what ways has the Holy Spirit been revealed to you?
Scripture Summaries
Acts 14:5–18
Paul and Barnabas flee persecution, continue preaching, and heal a man crippled from birth. The crowd mistakes them for gods and tries to offer sacrifices. The apostles tear their clothes and insist they are only human, pointing the people to the living Creator who has always left a witness through His goodness—rain, seasons, food, joy.
John 14:21–26
Jesus says those who love Him will keep His commands, and to them—not the world—He will reveal Himself. The Father and the Son will make their home with those who love Him. The Holy Spirit, the Advocate, will teach and remind the disciples of everything Jesus said.
Message: Jesus could have revealed Himself to everyone at once, but that would have produced obedience for the wrong reasons. Instead, He revealed Himself to those who loved Him—and taught them to walk in the same obedience He lived before the Father. The book of Acts shows us why this matters. When Paul heals the crippled man, the crowd worships him instead of God. Human hearts easily confuse the gift with the Giver. True obedience must come from love, not fear, pressure, or spectacle.
Obedience is central to Scripture—from Genesis to Revelation—not as a burden but as the fruit of belonging to God. Let me tell you a story. For a whole month during college I did not speak one word and I was obedient to this commitment. And you might wonder what I learned. First I learned that people were happy with me not speaking so that they could share the words in their heads. I learned that I really liked to talk but could communicate well without using any words. I could care for others perceiving their emotional state or physical state without speaking.The insight was that I belonged, had consciousness and existence, and could be helpful even though I did not speak.Interestingly that proved helpful to me as after college I started a career working with people, many of whom could not communicate. In one sense the Holy Spirit makes an impact possible in the moment but in another also across the history of our life as the Holy Spirit forms Christ’s life in us, guides us into truth, convicts, comforts, renews, and empowers us to finish the race as Paul and Barnabas did and in my case during that month of silence, it taught me that it was not about me at all but just being present and becoming more of what
God intended for me from the beginning.
And So, sometimes the Spirit’s work is dramatic; often it is quiet, personal, and deeply purposeful and transformative. But in every case, the Spirit witnesses that we belong to God and are being shaped into the likeness of Christ. It is not about the number of words we share. It is about being one in the Spirit. Jesus did not remain in the flesh so that His life could be reproduced in us through the Spirit—so that the Word made flesh might dwell in His people without having to speak a word aloud. I have given you just one example of how the Holy Spirit has revealed Himself to me. And if you gave it some thought you might realize the Holy Spirit has been revealing Himself to you time and time again too.
Pray we share the Spirit’s strength that leads us to obey. Pray we love in unity through the gift of Jesus’ Spirit. Pray that our obedience springs from love, not fear or pride. Pray we abide in Christ, walk like Christ, and live as Christ calls us to live. Pray obedience becomes natural, joyful, and Spirit‑led. Pray we discern what is spiritually good, not merely socially useful. Pray we believe in one God and remember we are not Him. Pray we trust the Spirit’s progressive, personal, truth‑centered work. Pray we are guided into truth and empowered to live God’s Word. Pray the Spirit of wisdom, counsel, might, knowledge, and holy reverence instructs us. Pray we remember Jesus’ teaching and walk in dependence on the Spirit. Pray we are filled with peace, learn to love, and learn to be loved even without words.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 