Day 42: John 16:4-11
4 I have told you this, so that when their time comes you will remember that I warned you about them. I did not tell you this from the beginning because I was with you, 5 but now I am going to him who sent me.None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things. 7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
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A week from tomorrow we will celebrate Pentecost Sunday, the day the Church remembers the coming of the Holy Spirit while the early Christians were celebrating the Feast of Weeks. In today’s passage, Jesus shares a word with his disciples that must have been difficult for them to believe – that it would be better for them when he went away to heaven.
The disciples are saddened because Jesus has been telling them of his forthcoming death. In the midst of their sadness, Jesus tells them to take heart, because once he goes away he will send to them a Helper...an Advocate.
In the face of the difficult news that Jesus would not always be physically with them, the promise of this Advocate – the Holy Spirit – must have been a great comfort to the disciples. The disciples knew that a great battle was on the horizon for them, but now they knew they would not have to face it alone. The Holy Spirit would be their Advocate, their Defender, helping them along the way.
And the same Holy Spirit is still active today, advocating for you and for me. The Holy Spirit is still convicting the world of sin, sanctifying the people of God into righteousness, and reminding us of the great hope we have in the resurrection.
As Pentecost approaches, invite the Holy Spirit to continue the work He has already begun in your life.
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Brad Taylor | Executive Pastor, Lima Community Church