John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 (NRSV)
Read John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 on biblegateway.com
Verse 26"When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. Verse 27You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning. Verse 4But I have said these things to you so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you about them. "I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. Verse 5But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' Verse 6But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts.
Verse 7Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. Verse 8And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: Verse 9about sin, because they do not believe in me; Verse 10about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; Verse 11about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned. Verse 12"I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. Verse 13When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. Verse 14He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. Verse 15All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
Devotion
Love That Says, Tell The Good News
The gospel writer Mark, in chapter 16, tells the story of women coming early to anoint the dead body of Jesus. But when they find the tomb empty and are trembling with fright, an angel appears announcing, "Do not be afraid. He is not here. Look, there is the place where they laid him. He is risen and is going ahead of you into Galilee. You will see him, just as he told you." Imagine being there! Seeing these women breathless, amazed and barely able to take in such good news.
But those faithful women, first to be told of his resurrection, went as they were told and were the first witnesses to tell this good news. They had to tell others that they had seen Jesus alive again. After seeing our Lord with eyes of faith, we too must testify of what we have seen. It's our call, "You are to testify."
Prayer
Thank you, Jesus, for your presence with us in the person of the Holy Spirit who even now is transforming my fears into a living hope. Amen.