John 16:12-15
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. If you haven’t read the Introduction to John’s Gospel, read it here.
In our last meditation on John 16:5-11, we considered how The Advocate, the Holy Spirit of Jesus, works in the world to bring conviction. Today we continue listening in as Jesus prepares his disciples for his physical absence by telling them how The Advocate will work in and for them. Read John 16:12-15 with this in mind.
When Jesus walked the earth, he was subject to the same boundaries that restrict all humans. Having lain aside his right to be God and having put on human flesh with all its limitations, he couldn’t speed up the transfer of knowledge or sear his teaching into the minds of his followers. Everything he did, and everything he knew beyond what he could physically see and hear, was empowered and imparted by God the Father as Jesus listened and followed God’s instructions.
Now Jesus promises his disciples that they, too, will have the opportunity to be guided and directed by The Advocate – the very Spirit of Jesus. This will happen in a relationship where Jesus’ followers listen to the Spirit and follow the guidance and revelation of the Spirit.
Stop to think about the way you tend to pray. How much do you listen rather than talk when you pray? How do you determine when a thought or prompting is from the Holy Spirit?
Discuss this with Jesus for a moment.
Read John 16:12-15 again focusing on the generosity of Jesus.
Jesus is talking to his first followers in this passage, but he gives the Holy Spirit to anyone who believes in him and follows him. And Jesus isn’t stingy with his companionship and guidance. All that God the Father has belongs to Jesus, and Jesus gives freely to those who love and obey him. Just as God comforted, guided, instructed and sustained Jesus, so the Holy Spirit of Jesus comforts, guides, instructs and sustains those who belong to Jesus. We don’t always know what’s around the corner, but Jesus does, and his Spirit is in us to guide us through the unknown.
For the last few minutes of this meditation, talk to Jesus about the unknowns in your current circumstances. Then sit quietly and simply listen to the Holy Spirit.
If you sense that Jesus is inviting you to take some kind of action, write it down and plan to take a first step today.
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