Today’s Scripture:
5 “But now I am going away to the one who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. 6 Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you. 7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. 9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. 10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. 11 Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.
12 “There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. 14 He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’
Today’s Devotional
In this passage Jesus gives his disciples more information about the Spirit who will come after Jesus leaves. Talking about the Spirit can be difficult because the Spirit can be hard to pin down. In fact, ancient Celts called the Holy Spirit a Wild Goose. Jesus called the Spirit a wind. So yeah, hard to grab and dissect. But in this passage Jesus gives us some things that the Spirt does in our lives.
Notice that the Spirit is an advocate or helper. The Spirit is here to guide us and help us in our lives as disciples. But the Spirit does not force itself – in my experience Spirit waits for invitation from us.
The Spirit also convicts of sin – one of the roles we aren’t usually too happy about! And yet so important as we grow in discipleship.
Notice that the Spirit will guide us into all truth. I have often found myself praying “Spirit, show me what is true about this situation.” Far too often I have found that my own interpretation of things are just not true. The Spirit guides us to truth.
The Sprit can only speak what the Spirit hears from God and Christ. If we can learn to hear the Spirit then we can trust the Spirit. Anything the Spirit shares will bring glory to Christ. If you are hearing something that does not bring glory to Christ then it’s not from the Spirit. Finally Jesus says that the Sprit will tell us about the future. This is not fortune telling – but discernment. When faced with a decision about the future, the Spirit will guide us onto the right path if we listen and follow.
I believe we need more connection with the Holy Spirit in our lives. Who wouldn’t want a helper who points out where we are falling short, guides us on the right path, and points us to Christ? All of us have that! We just need to tune our attention to the Spirit who is already here.
Do this today: as you move through your day ask the Spirit to show up. You can pray “Holy Spirit you are welcome here” or “Spirit show me your presence and guide me” or even “Holy Spirit, show me the truth.” See what happens.
Today’s Prayer
Holy Spirt we too often relegate you to third – tier and forget about your power. Help us today to see you, to call on you, and to follow you.
Amen
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