What Jesus Did! 'I Will Not Abandon You!' — John 14:18-20

Sunday, September 27, 2026

[Jesus continued,] "No, I will not abandon you as orphans — I will come to you. Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you."
— John 14:18-20 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus' return to the Father is essential. He went to prepare a place for us. [1] He is at the Father's side to intercede for us. [2] However, even though he has gone to the Father's side, that does not mean he has abandoned us. Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to be God's presence inside us. We are not alone. Far from it! We have the Holy Spirit in us as the abiding reminder of Jesus' victory over death and his ascension to heaven with power!

[1] John 14:2-3.
[2] Romans 8:34 NIV.

Today's Prayer

Your grace, dear heavenly Father, is really beyond my comprehension to grasp fully. I know even now, as I pray, your grace makes my prayer significant because Jesus intercedes for me according to your will. Father, when I find myself in difficult times, I confess that I sometimes try to rely too much on what I can do because I get to feeling that no one is there helping me. Please, dear Father, don't just forgive me but also remind me of your abiding presence in me through the Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

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Illustration

Illustration of John 14:18-20 NLT — "No, I will not abandon you as orphans — I will come to you."

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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