Before the Crucifixion, Jesus had more to tell the Twelve than they could bear. He saw his friends already grieving because Jesus would soon depart. On the bright side, the Lord said that they would see Him again in joyful reunion. With help from the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, they should witness to Him. They could ask for anything in Jesus’ name with assurance that the Father would answer. Our loving God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—wholly provides whatever the faithful need. When experiencing loss, what aspect of the Trinity do w

Disciples chosen by Jesus as followers became beloved friends. Rather than quizzing them on all that He had taught, Jesus memorably said to love one another as He loved them. The Holy Spirit would come to guide them and remind them of His more specific lessons, all stemming from love. If we notice our faith starting to wither, we can depend on the heavenly Father to do some pruning so that we grow in our attachment to the Lord Jesus. At times, we feel troubled or afraid, as did Jesus in His humanity. Do we find joy in knowing that Jesus remains

Jesus called Himself the Good Shepherd. Exasperated listeners wanted Jesus to call Himself the Christ, if that’s what He meant. Jesus answered that He had already told them His identity, but they refused to believe. After the Lord’s Resurrection, He revealed to the Disciples that He would soon go to the Father but promised to come back for them, even though they already knew the way. Thomas didn’t see how they could possibly know the way without knowing the place. When God’s ways seem mystifying, do we throw up our hands in exasperation

Jesus advised people to work for food that never perishes and explained that He is the Bread of life. Before the Risen Lord ascended to heaven, He commissioned the Eleven to preach the Gospel. The Lord then continued to work through His disciples. Saul, a ruthless persecutor of early Christians, converted after a blinding flash of light, the Lord’s voice speaking to Him, and restoration of his eyesight. If the Lord came to you today, how much appetite for things of this world and how much spiritual hunger would He see?

One night, a Pharisee named Nicodemus went to Jesus, who enlightened him about rebirth in the Spirit. Gamaliel, another Pharisee, later warned Sanhedrin members not to risk pitting themselves against God by punishing the Apostles. Like five loaves and two fish miraculously multiplied to feed a crowd, Scripture tells us that the Holy Spirit never gets rationed. When we fail to understand loss in our lives, do we ration our devotion to God or pray for greater faith?

At Jesus’ empty tomb, Mary Magdalene mistook Him for a gardener until He said her name. Two disciples regarded Jesus as just another traveler going toward Emmaus until He blessed and broke bread for them. Peter and half a dozen companions only recognized the Risen Lord after a miraculous catch of fish. What happens when we look for the Lord only in certain times and places?

Martha, Mary, and Lazarus welcomed Jesus, with Mary anointing His feet and drying them with her hair. At supper with the Disciples, Jesus foretold that Peter would deny Him three times, yet the Lord also washed Peter’s feet that day in a task done by servants. Pontius Pilate wanted to release Jesus and found His willingness to suffer Crucifixion mystifying. Although we may fail to understand the Lord’s ways, why do we ever feel misunderstood by Him?