Our scripture this morning is John 16:13-16.
“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. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’ In a little while you won’t see me anymore. But a little while after that, you will see me again.”
Theologians call the final lessons Jesus gives in John 14-17 the Farewell Discourse. It is seen as a bookend to what He taught us in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). Jesus came to prepare us all for the Kingdom of God, now He is returning to the Father according to God’s plan, and it is up to us to continue His work here.
We certainly aren’t left alone in our task. Jesus promised us “another counselor” (John 14:16). This is the Spirit of truth He speaks of here. Jesus came to teach us the way; now it is up to us to share God’s love in the world with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus knew His death would cause us pain and His Resurrection would amaze us. He wanted us to be prepared for what we face in a world that often rejects God’s love and those who share it. However, that doesn’t change the call He has placed on our lives to bring the Good News to all God’s children everywhere.
Gracious God, in Your mercy You made a way through Christ for us to be saved from our sin. Bless us to go in Your name to tell everyone of the joy of salvation. Amen.
