Tuesday 11 May 2010

Background

When Jesus told the disciples that he would be leaving themsorrow filled their hearts. They were unable to ask anything aboutwhere Jesus was going because they were so immersed in their owngrief. But Jesus assured them that his departure was not all badnews. The good news was that, after he had gone, he would be ableto send them "the Advocate" - the Holy Spirit.

Whilst Jesus was physically present on earth the disciples werevery dependent on him. They could go running to him with all theirproblems and questions. When he was no longer with them they wouldhave to take full responsibility themselves for their mission andministry. The Holy Spirit would continue to provide the guidanceand support which Jesus had offered but in a different way. Thedisciples would have to seek out that spiritual strength andknowledge from within themselves rather than from an externalsource.

Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would prove the world wrong aboutthree things: sin, righteousness and judgement. The Jewishreligious leaders condemned Jesus for mixing with sinners andbreaking the laws. The Holy Spirit proved that it is actually theywho are the sinners for rejecting Jesus and not believing in him.Similarly, the Jewish religious leaders thought that they were therighteous ones, but the resurrection of Jesus proved that it is infact he who is "the Holy and Righteous One" (Acts 3:14). Theresurrection also proved that "the ruler of this world" - meaningSatan - was not the judge but the condemned.

Jesus gave the disciples cause for joy and hope in the midst oftheir sorrow and despair. He helped them to see that his impendingdeparture was not the end but a new beginning. The coming of theHoly Spirit would transform both them and the world.

To Ponder

Who or what provides spiritual direction foryou?

When has someone's departure or absence causedyou to take on more responsibility? How did that make you feel?

As you look at the world today, where can you seesigns of hope in the midst of despair?