“I shall ask the Father to give you someone else to stand by you, to be with you always, the Spirit of Truth.” John 14:16
In preparing for the writing of this post, I made several notes for myself over the course of eight weeks or so. A few notes in my phone, a few on scrap pieces of paper, notes in the margins… all saved to eventually piece together or inspire my writing to you. Anytime I heard something I thought would be relevant, supportive, or thought of something important, I tucked it away to be ready for today. The night before I completed the writing, I decided to pick up my grandmother’s Bible to read John 14 just one more time. I was surprised to learn that this was an important passage to her too. The page was thoughtfully folded in half as if to say, “Look here.” She had also scribbled “Read” at the top of the page and used her pen to outline this passage. My Grandmother spent time here and now I know why. Let me share this with you, my Crossfire friend.
Jesus is continuing in the upper room during his last meal with his disciples. Imagine, Jesus knew what was about to happen and he knew that this would be one of the last conversations he would have with them before his arrest and crucifixion. We must stop and admire the importance of everything that was discussed in the upper room. Jesus specifically chose the topics of conversation to prepare them for what was to come and in turn, to prepare us. There were a myriad of subjects Jesus could have taught His disciples that night, but He knew that in His absence, they would need a powerful, ongoing relationship with the Holy Spirit. And so, Jesus set the stage to discuss the Holy Spirit with the twelve.
Jesus had shared that He is leaving to prepare a place for His believers. He answers the question from Thomas about how to get where He is going. Jesus tells us that He is the only way to get where He is going. Thomas’s question reveals that the disciples are uncomfortable with how they will meet up with Jesus again. They are anxious and scared and one could argue that they may have been feeling abandoned. Each of them had given up their lives, as they knew it, to follow Jesus. They left their jobs to become fishers of men at His request, although willingly. They had spent so much time with Him, learned so much from Him, and witnessed Him make the impossible possible as demonstrated through many miracles. After having spent so much time with Jesus, who wouldn’t be fearful of a life without him? The despair seems reasonable.
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” John 14:15. He follows up this statement with something that was likely meant to give the disciples hope, not just in that moment but forever - just as I hope you and I, believers today, find hope.
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever”. John 14:16. Jesus is introducing the concept of the Holy Spirit to his disciples. He recognizes that this is a concept that will not yet be fully understood by the disciples until some time later. In fact, the disciples would eventually experience the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost in the same room, the upper room (Acts 2;1-4). The description of this moment in the book of Acts is quite amazing and nothing less than an incredible display of the power available to each of us. The gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost was a baptism of power and understanding and inclusion, a select privilege, available to believers and not to the world. God arranged a helper for us to navigate this life, a power that resides within every believer.
Christ knew we would have trouble in this world. The Holy Spirit was sent by our Father in Jesus’s name so that our hearts would not have to be troubled, and we would not have to be afraid (John 14:27). My Grandmother underlined this verse and I remember her telling me that the power of the Holy Spirit was always available to me since coming to know Christ. Growing in my faith has also meant learning to lean in and expect the help, the power, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26. I imagine the disciples could have never understood, in that moment, the impact that the Holy Spirit would have in their lives, and in ours.
Today, like Jesus’s disciples, maybe you’re experiencing hurt or fear from the pending or recent loss of a loved one or a diagnosis you’ve received about yourself. Maybe you were recently laid off from your job, or you’re in a failed relationship. Maybe you’ve been dealing with fear and anxiety for as long as you can remember. Or perhaps you just don’t feel understood or like anyone is on your side. The Holy Spirit is evidence of God’s grace in our lives. He has not abandoned us and does not want us to feel alone or to be afraid.
But the Holy Spirit is far more than a comforter. God has provided us with intentional help and access to power. Let us seek God’s will in our lives and experience His influence through the Holy Spirit. Lean in. Open your heart to be comforted by His presence. Be led by our Spirit of Truth (John 14:17) & trust our Advocate (John 14:16). The Spirit of Wisdom (Ephesians 1:17) understands you and loves you. The Holy Spirit is quite possibly the greatest gift we’ll ever receive this side of eternity.
The Spirit of our God lives inside of you, and you can count on Him. Be encouraged. Feel loved. He has thought of you in this very moment that you’re in right now and all the next moments that you will experience in this world. Who knows, maybe folding the page in your Bible and circling the passage will help you remember his promise or will one day inspire your granddaughter to never forget the phenomenal gift and the incredible power of the Holy Spirit available to each of us.
In a few weeks, Crosspoint is providing an opportunity to experience a Seder meal the way Jesus did in the upper room with his disciples at the last supper. I pray that each of you will participate. When you’re seated at the experience, take a moment to reflect on these special messages that Jesus delivered that we’ve been learning about during this series on the upper room. I hope they touch your heart, strengthen the foundation of your faith, and inspire you to share his promises with others. In Love, my Crossfire friend.
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