John 16:12-15

In these next verse we will see what I believe is the most amazing aspect of the Holy Spirit’s role - to lead us into truth. Jesus is giving his last instructions before being arrested and crucified. They still don’t get everything. But as noted by Jon Courson in his commentary, Jesus is not frustrated or worried by that, because He is resting in the work of the Holy Spirit:

“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.” (John 16:12-15)

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth - just like Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life. He is NOT a spirit of a truth but the Spirit of THE Truth. He is the one who leads us into truth, who draws us to Christ and reveals just who Jesus is in all of His glory.

Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:3)

This passage from John and the verse from 1 Corinthians should comfort us and help us rest in regards to those we love who have not yet committed their lives to Christ. It is NOT our clever persuasive arguments, or the mountains of academic evidence we quote, or the great tapes and books we share with our unbelieving family and friends that will convince them of Jesus’ identity. It is the Holy Spirit’s job to reveal Christ. It is His JOB - it is what He longs to do, because God so loved the WORLD (John 3:16) and He is not willing that ANY should perish (2 Peter 3:9).

You are not your husband’s or son’s personal Holy Spirit. Your job is to pray for them and to live out your life before them in such a way that they can see the difference in you. Then it is the Holy Spirit who closes the deal! He’s the One who seals us to God (Ephesians 1:13-14). He will pursue your loved one, because He loves your husband and your children more than you do!

Another aspect of this promise, as it specifically applied to the disciples, is that the Holy Spirit is the One who would remind them of all they had seen and heard. He would bring back to their minds the exact words Jesus spoke, so that they could record Jesus’ ministry in the New Testament for us. So we can trust their testimony. And while all of the Bible is inspired by God (2 Tim 3:16-17), each book bears the personality of its author. Each gospel was written with a different audience in mind and with a specific focus. John tells us right at the beginning and then again at the end of his gospel that he has written his in order that we might BELIEVE. That’s why John’s gospel is such a great place to start for the beginner.

So, in this passage of John, Jesus, instead of wringing His hands worrying that they still did not “get it,” is releasing the disciples to the care of the Holy Spirit. Exactly what we need to do with those with love.

I’m heading to Washington, DC, tomorrow night, so I will be absent for a while. I will still be checking and sending out emails as necessary, so let me know if you have prayer requests.