Jesus said to the disciples, "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you."
Questions for engaging the text:
- What do I observe" What am I seeing" Does this passage raise questions for me?
- Is anything attracting me, drawing my attention, or repulsing me?
-What response is emerging within me? What is my response to what is attracting me?***
-In what ways might I specifically act on my insights in the world
*** 1st three questions taken from The Art of Engaging Holy Scripture curriculum (see resources).
I really want to hear from you. Thank you for clicking on "Comments" below and adding your responses. Debra
John 16.12-15
ReplyDeleteI observe Jesus making an amazing promise to the disciples: “the Spirit of Truth” will come and “guide you into all truth… he (the Spirit) will take what is mine and declare it to you.” In some mysterious way the Spirit of Truth will take what belongs to Jesus, that is “all that the Father has,” and pass it on to the disciples. Just as Jesus received all that he had from the Father so will the disciples receive all that they have from Jesus through the Spirit. Even though Jesus will soon physically leave the disciples he will remain intimately connected to them by the Spirit of Truth.
I am attracted to Jesus’ promise because it gives me hope, hope of being intimately connected with Jesus even though I will never meet him physically. The presence of Jesus in the Spirit to guide me “into all truth” gives me hope and a measure of confidence for conducting my life in accord with God’s truth.
Of course that begs the question, what is truth? I recall that is the same question Pilate asked when he was judging Jesus and decided that Jesus was not guilty as the religious officials and common people had charged him. (John 18.38) Could it be that Pilate believed Jesus because he was touched by the Spirit of Truth and “guided into all truth?” It seems there is a relationship between believing and truth. When I believe Jesus is the Incarnation, the guiltless living presence of God among us, then I am in the Spirit of Truth and thereby guided “into all truth.”
Because I live in the world I am constantly faced with decisions and judgment calls. And so I pray for the grace of unswerving belief that Jesus is the Living God who sends the Spirit of Truth to guide me into all truth so that I too shall judge and make my decisions in accord with the truth. May it be so. Amen