John 16:12-15 (NRSV)
Read John 16:12-15 on biblegateway.com
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
“I still have many things to say to you,” (Verse 12) is a loaded phrase! It was true for 1st century Christians, it’s true for us 21st century Christians, and it will be true until Jesus comes again. There is more to come! Lately, I have been re-reading the book of Acts, and I marvel at what changes the first Christians went through, and especially, Peter and Paul’s role in them. They trusted the Holy Spirit was leading them, even when it seemed to go against all they had been taught or thought. Dedicated Jews opened up the church to Gentiles, which is why you and I are Christians today. We are those Gentiles that the first Christians welcomed some 2,000 years ago. Years ago, a wise, elderly Christian friend summed it up: “This is what I think now, but God may change that tomorrow.” Reformation and renewal still happens today, for each of us personally and for the church, because the Spirit is still at work.
Prayer
Jesus, your call to the early disciples, is true for us modern disciples: “Follow me.” Grant us the courage to trust and obey. Amen.
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