The Promise of the Spirit
Scripture Reading — John 14:15-27
“The Father … will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever …”
John 14:16
When a New York City attorney died in 2005, his wife tried (in vain) to connect with him after death. She buried him with his cell phone. She continued to pay the monthly bill and even called him until the battery went dead. She had his cell-phone number engraved into the headstone so that others could call him. Imagine!
Some people view Jesus’ absence from this earth with a similar desperation. Who do we call when Jesus is no longer around? Here is good news: the fully alive Spirit of God comes to be with us. God’s Spirit is so concerned to connect us with Jesus that he is called the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9; Philippians 1:19).
What does the Spirit promise us? First, the Spirit will come to counsel, comfort, and help us. The Spirit does this in times of distress and trouble, and when the world and the devil attack us. The Spirit comes to us because the Father sends him on Jesus’ behalf.
Second, the Spirit will never leave us. Friends and family may leave when the burdens of life are hard to bear, but the Spirit sticks by us through thick and thin.
Third, the Spirit will teach us to remember Jesus’ words of comfort. “My peace I give you… Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Though some people put their faith in technology and cell phones, we put our confidence in the Spirit of God.
Jesus, thank you for the promise of your Spirit, who will be with us forever to help us understand how to live for you. By the Spirit’s power, may we put our faith in you. Amen.
About the author — Reginald Smith
Dr. Reginald Smith is senior pastor at Roosevelt Park Community Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he has served for seventeen years. He has also served as a pastor in Paterson, New Jersey. He and his wife, Sharon, have three daughters, Janelle, Katrina, and Mariah.
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