He is leaving them now and later returning to them

He is remaining with them in the same way

He is sending another person instead of coming back

The disciples are already fully at peace about it

Rejoice because Jesus is headed to the Father

Treat his leaving as proof that everything is falling apart

Assume the best response is to be mainly upset about the absence

Ignore the reason Jesus gives and focus only on the loss

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I admit that I have sinned and that I cannot bring myself to the Father. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. I turn from my sin and trust you as my Lord. Lead me to the Father and make me yours. Amen.

Come to the Father Through Jesus

Lord, revive your Church so that we love Jesus enough to rejoice in his way, even when we do not understand it. Make us a people who trust the Father's greatness, welcome Jesus' words, and live with steady hope that he is not absent from us forever, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Renew Our Joy in Your Way

Father, when a goodbye feels hard or your timing feels delayed, help me trust Jesus' words. Give me a heart that can rejoice in what you are doing, even before I understand it, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Joy in Hard Goodbyes

Thank you for Jesus' honesty about leaving and coming back; for the hope that his departure is not the end; and for the Father's greatness over every path he takes, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Thank You for Jesus' Promise

Name one goodbye, delay, or disappointment that feels heavy. Ask God to help you trust Jesus' path, to remember his promise of return, and to choose joy instead of fear.

Pray Through a Hard Goodbye

Praise God for the Father's greatness, for Jesus' faithful path to the Father, and for the wisdom that holds departure and reunion together in one loving plan, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Praise the Father and the Son

ἠκούσατε{EE-KOO-sa-te###EE-KOO-sah-teh###you heard} ὅτι{HO-tee###HOH-tee###that} ἐγὼ{e-GO###eh-GOH###I} εἶπον{EE-pon###EE-pohn###(I) said} ὑμῖν·{hee-MEEN###hee-MEEN###to you} Ὑπάγω{hee-PA-go###hee-PAH-goh###I am going away} καὶ{KE###KEH###and} ἔρχομαι{ER-kho-me###EHR-khoh-meh###I come} πρὸς{PROS###PROHS###to} ὑμᾶς.{hee-MAS###hee-MAHS###you} εἰ{ee###ee###if} ἠγαπᾶτέ{ee-ga-PA-te###ee-gah-PAH-teh###you loved} με{me###meh###me} ἐχάρητε{e-KHA-ree-te###eh-KHAH-ree-teh###you would have rejoiced} ἄν,{AN###AHN###would} ⸀ὅτι{HO-tee###HOH-tee###because} πορεύομαι{po-RE-vo-me###poh-REH-voh-meh###I am going} πρὸς{PROS###PROHS###to} τὸν{TON###TOHN###the} πατέρα,{pa-TE-ra###pah-TEH-rah###Father} ὅτι{HO-tee###HOH-tee###for} ὁ{ho###hoh###the} ⸀πατὴρ{pa-TEER###pah-TEER###Father} μείζων{MEE-zon###MEE-zohn###greater} μού{MOO###MOO###than me} ἐστιν.{es-TEEN###ehs-TEEN###is}

John 14:28 — Source TextTAB

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