Day 17: John 15-31
I love the Holy Spirit! I love his sense of flow, his creativity and his tangible presence.
Verse 16
‘And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever – the Spirit of Truth.’
The word ‘advocate’ is often referred to as ‘helper’ in biblical terms but the Oxford Dictionary definition is this: ‘A person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy’. To me this encompasses much of what the Holy Spirit is; working through us he is the public supporter of Jesus, he is the one who will always recommend the cause of Jesus. The Holy Spirit enables us to speak to others about Christ, to share our testimony and to show the real love of God.
Verse 17
‘The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him or knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.’
When we truly know that this immense being is actually as much a part of us as our own heartbeat, we can begin to grasp the vastness of God’s love for us. This gift is an amazing promise fulfilled, a gift that is as relevant to us today as it was in the time of the disciples. Whatever our worldly circumstances, we are never left as ‘orphans’.
Verse 26
‘But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.’
The Holy Spirit is our opportunity to learn – He is our teacher and is there to remind us of all that Jesus brought. I am quite creative and my mind often works in pictures. When I think of the Holy Spirit I envision a tandem bike with him on the front, setting the direction, and me close behind participating in and sharing the journey.
As many of us currently have the gift of more time, I would encourage you to spend some of it with the Holy Spirit; get to know him more intimately. I have found that the Holy Spirit loves to laugh and play so go have some fun with him!
Hayley Barry
Connect Group Leader