In the last episode…

Campbell Dye May 12, 2018 0 0

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John 16: 4-11

4 But I have said these things to you so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you about them.

‘I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 5 But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, “Where are you going?” 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgement: 9 about sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; 11 about judgement, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.

I wrote earlier this week about beginnings and endings. I also briefly mentioned Netflix. Where would you draw the “season breaks” in the Jesus story? Would you have Series 1 up to the point where he gets lost in the temple as a boy? Would you end the next season just before he rides into Jerusalem? You would almost certainly halt one series on the cliff hanger of the crucifixion and another after the ascension.

The Jesus story is one of false endings. Every time you might have seen the last of him, there’s more to come. Jesus wasn’t finished when they rolled the stone across his tomb. He certainly wasn’t finished when he ascended to heaven. And guess what? He’s not finished with us yet.

Today’s passage from John explains how Jesus said that once he ascended he would send the Holy Spirit. When we engage with Jesus we engage with the eternal living God, active today and changing lives in dramatic and unexpected ways. 

And always for the better.

Lord God, we thank you for the gifts of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. We cannot imagine the world without your care and influence. Give us your peace - send it so we can feel it endlessly and deeply and so it can act as a life changer for us. We thank you for all you have done for us and your promise always to be with us. Amen.