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
Do you ever let anyone help you? It can be tempting to refuse help—and think we can do everything on our own. There’s some stubbornness to this or perhaps a deeply ingrained belief that asking for help is a weakness.
This pandemic is daunting. There has been a lot of isolation and loneliness. In the beginning of the pandemic, I was surprised that older members of my church weren’t reaching out and asking for help. But as family and delivery services stepped into those gaps, I saw how the Advocate formed a new ministry in my context. Members who were working from home started to ask for names that they could call or write letters to. The Spirit of truth revealed to our congregation that our biggest need was human connection and learning ways to be in relationship while not physically present. In our time of need, the Advocate is here and speaking to us the good news.
Prayer
Holy Advocate, testify on our behalf when our pride gets in the way of the relationships you are looking to foster in our lives. Thank you for your persistence to lead us to your truth. Amen.