How many times did you read today’s passage? I still feel like I need to read it again. If we’re a little blown away, imagine the disciples. Jesus didn’t use a parable here to help them understand. I’m guessing what they heard was Jesus was going away and somebody else was coming to care for them. They had no idea where Jesus was going. This “advocate” was also mysterious.
From the sounds of it, it has been the Holy Spirit (advocate) alive within Jesus. Jesus says he has to leave so that the advocate can return. The advocate is also going to act like a prosecuting attorney to reveal the sinfulness of the world. The people will be convicted at last of their evil deeds. The advocate will help restore a right relationship with God, thus righteousness will prevail. Continue reading “John 16:5-15 – The Holy Spirit Will Come”
What powerful words Jesus is sharing with his disciples. He is not sugar coating this at all. They can consider themselves warned. The world will not be kind to them. People will not listen. They can expect persecution. This message is not just for those closest to him that day. It is for us, too. The world is still a dangerous place, especially for followers of Jesus.
What is love? I feel like love has really taken a hit lately. People are so off-hand with their relationship to love. We “love” our coffee or tea, we ‘love” sunshine, we “love” to sleep in. Fill in the blank. I’m sure you’ve said something in the last 24 hours about something you “love.” It goes without saying that we love our children, spouse, and friends. But love is so much more than this. Love is more than really liking something a lot, isn’t it? 
Jesus is giving us yet another way to think of him. As we build our relationship with Jesus on our faith journey, think of him as the vine. Have you ever pruned a bush or vine? You’ve then seen how the branches cut from the living tree soon wither and dry up. The life of the bush has been cut off from them and they are no longer alive. The cut branches become trash with no more life inside.
This passage is jam-packed with nuggets and blessings. Re-read it several times until you feel the peace of God descending on you.
