God’s Guiding Word: Spiritual Renewal

May 16

Introduction

John 16:4b–15: Jesus again tells the disciples about how they will suffer. He says that he is returning to God the Father but that he will send the Holy Spirit who will lead them and reveal the truth about God.

Today’s Key Verse: John 16:15

[Jesus said:] “All that my Father has is mine; that is why I said that the Spirit will take what I give him and tell it to you.”

Reading

^4b “I did not tell you these things at the beginning, for I was with you. ⁵ But now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me where I am going. ⁶ And now that I have told you, your hearts are full of sadness. ⁷ But I am telling you the truth: it is better for you that I go away, because if I do not go, the Helper will not come to you. But if I do go away, then I will send him to you. ⁸ And when he comes, he will prove to the people of the world that they are wrong about sin and about what is right and about God’s judgment. ⁹ They are wrong about sin, because they do not believe in me; ¹⁰ they are wrong about what is right, because I am going to the Father and you will not see me any more; ¹¹ and they are wrong about judgment, because the ruler of this world has already been judged.

¹² “I have much more to tell you, but now it would be too much for you to bear. ¹³ When, however, the Spirit comes, who reveals the truth about God, he will lead you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own authority, but he will speak of what he hears and will tell you of things to come. ¹⁴ He will give me glory, because he will take what I say and tell it to you. ¹⁵ All that my Father has is mine; that is why I said that the Spirit will take what I give him and tell it to you.

Reflect

According to verse 6, what are the disciples feeling in response to what Jesus has just told them? Why does Jesus tell the disciples that it is better for him to go away (verse 7)? How does Jesus describe the work of the Holy Spirit (verses 13–14)? In what ways have you experienced the work of the Holy Spirit in your life?

Pray

Lord Jesus, thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to lead and guide me each day and to reveal to me the truth about God. Because you have sent the Holy Spirit, I trust that you are with me each day as I continue in my journey in faith. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

John 16:16–24: Jesus prepares his disciples for his impending suffering and death.