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
The primary perception of sin, righteousness, and judgment among not only God’s people, but seemingly the rest of humankind, roots awareness of human brokenness in our common knowledge of the law. Parents bring kids to church to learn right from wrong. People of Christ want the ten commandments in schools and courtrooms. Morality police try to legislate morality through laws or shame. However well and good all this may or may not be, earlier in John, Jesus has called his faithful followers to live within a differing perception, with confidence in a different place of dwelling and life that has been prepared by the Lord Jesus. (14:2-3)
May the Lord’s congregations continue to perceive themselves as living, breathing organisms, living within the Holy Spirit to manifest this “place” of active relational faith in Christ who is the head of the Church. May our worship and praise be Spirit-filled and a witness to the Spirit’s empowering and shaping of a home not rooted in law and the ways of the world, but in the surprising and faithful eternal relationship of living in Holy Spirit.
Prayer
Gracious Lord, we pray that we truly understand how your Spirit has changed our essence as we are no longer children of this world, but children of your eternal family. May our living reflect this truth. Amen.