The Apostle Peter in his second letter speaks of exceeding great and precious promises that are given unto us. He was one who originally heard our Lord give this promise, and then had learned by experience its preciousness. For even after he had denied the Lord three times this very night he experienced the comfort that our Lord promised.
Let us look at four things concerning this promise. 1. Look at the word translated Comfortless.I assume that most of us have a Bible with marginal readings, and if we do we notice one in this verse. When we look in the margin we see that an alternative translation is the word orphans. "I will not leave you orphans."
One of the ways that we may be comforted by this precious promise is to consider it in relation to some things that we recognize about orphans.
(1) We think of orphans as those whose parents are dead. "I will not leave you orphans." This chapter begins with our Lord saying: "Let not your hearts be troubled." What had filled their hearts with trouble? If you look back to verse 33 of chapter 13 we see what it was. He told them that he would only be with them for a short time and, as he had told the Jews, he was returning to the Father. The next day we are told that from afar they saw Him die on the cross, from afar they saw him bow his head, and give up the ghost. But they also saw him alive after three days. He does not leave us orphans in this world, He died for us, but now He lives for us! Take comfort in this that He lives for evermore, and because He lives we live.
(2) We think of orphans as those who are alone in the world. "I will not leave you orphans." The person who would naturally have the best interests of the children at heart is taken away. One of the great tragedies of this day is the many children who do not have their parents for guidance. A parent is one who is always there for you, one that you can always call upon for advice and help. The Lord Jesus Christ is "a very present help in trouble." Take comfort in this that He will never leave us nor forsake us.
(3) We think of orphans as those who have no one to provide for them. "I will not leave you orphans." Look back to I Kings 17 at how he may provide. For at least three years God miraculously provided for Elijah; two times we are told that God commanded his provision. All things are under His control and in verses 4 and 9 we read that He commanded the blessing. Which was the most amazing? Take comfort in this that He will always provide.
(4) We think of orphans as those who have no defender. "I will not leave you orphans." How many times do little children say: "I'll tell my father." Orphans have no father nor mother to tell, no one to defend them from bigger people who would hurt them. He is our Advocate at the bar of justice and He is the sinner's Friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Take comfort in this that He will always defend us.
2. Look at how the Lord Jesus Comes to us.How is His promise to come to believers fulfilled? We have already seen that our Lord had spoken to them about his going away, his going back to the Father. We learn later in this passage that it is by His going to the Father that He then comes to believers. "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you." It is clear that He comes to us by the Holy Spirit, and it is by His going to the Father (by way of the cross) that He sends the promise of the Father, the Holy Spirit. In this passage we see the Trinity, for each person in the Godhead is mentioned, and we also see the Unity of the three. We see the unity in the Godhead in the way that these terms are used interchangeably. It is the Comforter, it is I, it is we (Father and Son) who come. Every child of God is the temple of the Holy Spirit.
A person cannot possibly be saved apart from the Holy Spirit; he could not believe apart form the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:9 "Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his."
He comes to us by His Spirit who is His Vicar, His Representative upon the earth.
3. Look at how the Holy Spirit comforts us. John 16:14,15.The way that He comforts us is to show us the things of Christ. The Holy Spirit by His Word shows us the things of Christ. He comforts us concerning His person, his mediatorial work, his blood and righteousness, his death, and resurrection. "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins." (Isaiah 40:1-2) She hath received double for all her sins. We like Abraham have double or two immutable things, "in which it was impossible for God to lie." We have His promise, and we have His oath, and all confirmed in the death of our Lord.
4. Look at the freshness of this promise.The first time that a sinner looks to Christ, Christ comes to him. What happens then? Well, the next minute, it is still: "I will come to you." But suppose a person first looked fifty years ago, and has had this promise fulfilled a thousand times a year; is it done with him? No, absolutely not as long as we remain in this world it is just as fresh as it was the first time that we looked. "I will come to you." This is a promise for everyday and all though our life, and when we come to the valley of the shadow of death, here it is again. "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you."
I read again the other day about Mr. Valiant-for-truth receiving his summons to leave this world. He called his friends together and told them, "I am going to my Father's; and though with great difficulty I have got hither, yet now I do not repent me of all the trouble I have been at to arrive where I am. My sword I give to him that shall succeed me in my pilgrimage, and my courage and skill to him that can get it. My marks and scars I carry with me to be a witness for me that I have fought His battles who now will be my rewarder. When the day that he must go hence was come, many accompanied him to the riverside, into the which as he went he said: "Death, where is thy sting?" And as he went down deeper, he said, "Grave, where is thy victory?" So he passed over, and all the trumpets sounded for him on the other side.
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