Scripture for the week: John 16:5-16
Quote for the week: “Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you…”
This is one of the few passages where we see a direct picture of the Trinity including the work of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in unison. The Son is with the disciples, and He soon leaves to return to the Father, but does not leave the disciples alone. He will send the Spirit to be with them. Read carefully and meditate on what Jesus says to the disciples:
“I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 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. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 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.”
John 16:12-15
Jesus knows the disciples cannot comprehend all they will need to know and is now explaining not only how they will hear, but gives them great insight into the work of the Father, Son, and Spirit. Remember back to the previous chapters and the many times Jesus has said to them, “I am in the Father and the Father is in me.” We are a part of this marvelous relationship! What can we say to express our joy and thanksgiving to Jesus for this wonderful gift? “Here I am, completely yours. Live in, with, and through me!”
Prayer for the week: Father, thank you for your wonderful Son and your glorious Holy Spirit. You have made me who I am, and I desire to be yours and yours alone.
“Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all 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. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you. “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.”
John 16:5-16 (NIV)
