Feb 6, 2022
Scripture Reading: John 15:18-27
Up until this point in the gospel of John, Jesus had only made mention of the Holy Spirit on two occasions … speaking to Nicodemus (Jn 3:5,6) and speaking to the crowd in Capernaum (Jn 6:63). Now, in the upper room discourse, Jesus brings the Holy Spirit to center stage (Jn 14:16,17,26; 15:26; 16:7-15).
Jesus knew that these men would need the strength-giving comfort of the Holy Spirit because they would face rigorous opposition after His ascension. He prepares them by not hiding the stinging truth … "If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you" (Jn 15:20). The disdain people have for Christ shows itself in a disdain for His followers. Throughout the centuries … from the 1st to the 21st … Christians have been consistently persecuted, in one form of maltreatment or another.
But Christ sent a Helper (Comforter, Advocate) to assist us in following Christ. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Triune God, co-eternal and co-equal with God the Father and God the Son. The service of the Holy Spirit to God's children is as magnificent as it is mysterious. The Holy Spirit regenerates, bringing life to the soul (Jn 3:5-8); indwells believers (Rom 8:9); teaches believers (Jn 14:26; 16:13); secures believers for all eternity (Eph 1:13,14; 4:30); equips believers for service in the church (Rom 12:6-8; Eph 4:7-16); empowers ('fills') believers for service (Eph 5:18,19); produces a God-honoring quality of life (Gal 5:22,23).
Let us ever be thankful to God for giving us His Spirit for the living of our lives. We cannot see Him or hear Him or touch Him, but … let us be sure … we cannot live without Him. "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption" (Eph 4:30).