What I’m Thinking: Not Left Alone

Jesus promised his disciples the companionship of the Holy Spirit so that they knew they would never be alone. He also knew that might not be promise enough.

Here’s a transcript.

I’m thinking about further on in the fourteenth chapter of John’s Gospel (John 14:15-21); further on, that is, than last week. In this section Jesus says two more things that really strike at my heart today.

First, he announces the coming of an Advocate, the Holy Spirit, a force, a person, a power of God to be with the disciples through all of the stresses and strains of their living, their serving, and their proclaiming the message of Jesus. It is so important to me that we are never left alone, not just in these times but in any times. The Holy Spirit is always with us.

Jesus understood that this might not be sufficient reassurance. One thing about a Holy Spirit is that it is a spirit. It is not something that one touches or sees or perceives through the senses. Indeed, one has to be aware of the Holy Spirit by searching for the Spirit within the human soul, within the human heart.

So, knowing that that is not enough for incarnate human beings, Jesus assured his disciples that he was not going to leave them orphaned. He would come to them again.

Now, Jesus said this at the Last Supper. He would be crucified the next day, but then, three days later would be alive once more: the resurrected Christ of our faith, of our confidence and trust. So that promise is, indeed, fulfilled.

It is through the resurrection that we have our trust in the Holy Spirit. It is through the Holy Spirit that we are able to perceive the presence of Jesus Christ. It is through the love of a beneficent God that we are able to endure the stresses of our times; even ours, in these days of illness and of fear.

That’s what I’m thinking. I’m curious to hear what you’re thinking. Leave me your thoughts in the comment section below; I’d love to hear from you.