God’s Renewing Word of Love
Introduction
John 16:1-15: Jesus again tells the disciples about how they will suffer. He says that he is returning to God the Father but will send the Holy Spirit who will lead them and reveal the truth about God.
Scripture Reading
1“I have told you this, so that you will not give up your faith. 2You will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time will come when those who kill you will think that by doing this they are serving God. 3People will do these things to you because they have not known either the Father or me. 4But I have told you this, so that when the time comes for them to do these things, you will remember what I told you.
The Work of the Holy Spirit
“I did not tell you these things at the beginning, for I was with you. 5But now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me where I am going. 6And now that I have told you, your hearts are full of sadness. 7But 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. 8And 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. 9They are wrong about sin, because they do not believe in me; 10they are wrong about what is right, because I am going to the Father and you will not see me any more; 11and 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. 14He will give me glory, because he will take what I say and tell it to you. 15All 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.
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.”
Reflect
Because of what Jesus has said, how are the disciples feeling (verse 6)? 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.
And now, join us in giving thanks for the completion of the first full Bible in a sign language: Gracious God, we lift our voices in praise and thanksgiving that after nearly four decades of work the very first full Bible in American Sign Language—the language of around 408,000 people—was completed last year. We also thank you that translation work in 16 sign languages, used by 2.1 million Deaf people, enabled this population to receive their first or additional Scripture portions in 2020. May this accomplishment encourage the work of sign language translators in other countries throughout the world. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
John 16:16-24: Jesus prepares his disciples for his impending suffering and death.