Guided by the Spirit

From Darkness to Light  God Prepares the Way Zechariah Hears from God Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5)  John 16:1-15 The Message 16 1-4 "I've told you these things to prepare you for rough times ahead. They are going to throw you out of the meeting places. There will even come a time when anyone who kills you will think he's doing God a favor. They will do these things because they never really understood the Father. I've told you these things so that when the time comes and they start in on you, you'll be well-warned and ready for them. The Friend Will Come 4-7 "I didn't tell you this earlier because I was with you every day. But now I am on my way to the One who sent me. Not one of you has asked, 'Where are you going?' Instead, the longer I've talked, the sadder you've become. So let me say it again, this truth: It's better for you that I leave. If I don't leave, the Friend won't come. But if I go, I'll send him to you. 8-11 "When he comes, he'll expose the error of the godless world's view of sin, righteousness, and judgment: He'll show them that their refusal to believe in me is their basic sin; that righteousness comes from above, where I am with the Father, out of their sight and control; that judgment takes place as the ruler of this godless world is brought to trial and convicted. 12-15 "I still have many things to tell you, but you can't handle them now. But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is. He won't draw attention to himself, but will make sense out of what is about to happen and, indeed, out of all that I have done and said. He will honor me; he will take from me and deliver it to you. Everything the Father has is also mine. That is why I've said, 'He takes from me and delivers to you.' For Reflection "The Greek word used here for "guide" includes in it the word for "way." The Spirit guides us into the truth of the way, which we know already from 14:6 is not a set of insructions, but a relationship with a person who loves us. Even when we do not have the spiritual muscle to be as wise or as loving as we would like, the Spirit holds all the truth of God in us, and as we grow more and more in our love for the one who is truth, we are able to carry a greater weight of glory in and for the world (2 Corinthians 4:17)—because the Spirit in us declaring the things of God to us glorifies the Father and Son (16:14)."* *Meda Stamper, the Working Preacher, https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/the-holy-trinity-3/commentary-on-john-1612-15-5 Pray Pray so that you will acquire a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit. Pray, and let the Spirit, you on the way of love, creating a space for us and in us to be part of the Trinitarian dance of God. Forward to a friend Sign up for our mailing list!