40 Days of John
Day 29: John 16:1-15From the beginning of today's reading, Jesus tells the "why" behind what He is saying. He is trying to strengthen His friends for what lies ahead.
He says,
All this I have told you so that you will not fall away.
Jesus knows that believing in Him and continuing to follow Him after He goes to be with His Father isn't going to be easy. There will be struggles and doubts. The disciples are grieving as they hear Jesus' words. The reality of Jesus not being with them is impossible for them to understand in the moment.
Living without Jesus is all they can think about even though God has a bigger and better plan in mind- raising Jesus from the dead, showing His divine power, saving the world with His love, eternal life, and a Savior who is in us everywhere we go, a part of everything we do...if we'll let Him in and hold on.
It's hard to cling to the bigger picture when you are consumed by the hurt that's right in front of you.
And then Jesus says these words I could read a million times and never get tired of soaking them in...
“I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”
Did you hear what Jesus said? He's talking to you. He's talking to me. Right now.
Jesus has so much to say to us. And today, He speaks to us through the "Spirit of truth," also known as the Holy Spirit. Jesus promises to guide us "into" the truth.
We will struggle. We will doubt. We will grieve and hurt. We will mess-up. We will also find joy. We will celebrate. We will get glimpses of God's grace. And through it all, we are never left alone to figure things out on our own. Jesus is telling us that figuring things out will be a process and a journey of His guiding us as we believe in Him.
A prayer for today-
Dear God,
Thank You for Your Holy Spirit that lives in me and guides me into Your truth. Thank You for the gift of Your Son who came into the world so that we would know Your powerful and life-giving love for us.
Forgive me, Lord, for missing your direction and guidance. Open my heart and mind to your presence in all things. Help me to hear You.
I pray for all those who are consumed by the hurt that is front of them this day. Lord, fill them with Your comfort and Your hope. Bless them with Your healing and peace. Give them glimpses of Your grace at work even when it's hard to see and understand.
And Lord, make me an instrument of Your grace. Show me new ways to love people for You.
You are with me always, and I love you, Lord.
In Jesus' name I pray,
Amen
Peace of Christ,
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