When the Counselor has come, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will testify about me. John 15:26 WEB
In chapter fifteen of John’s gospel, Jesus prepares his disciples to branch out and share the truth of the gospel with the world. At the time of this message, Jesus’ arrest is just around the corner. And so, the Lord begins to reveal the help he will send by way of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit will comfort, counsel, guide, and as Jesus says, “he will testify about me.”
Explaining that he is the vine and his disciples are the branches, Jesus commands his disciples to live by his teaching and example. Christ will soon be arrested and crucified for the sins of mankind. Thereafter, the disciples task is to share the Good News of salvation and the resurrection. In order to bear fruit, establishing the church to come, Jesus’ disciples must display the love of the Father and of Christ.
Remain in Me
Jesus teaches in John 15:4, “Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can’t bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me. WEB” The Lord knows the fierce opposition his disciples will face from the world. As he says in John 15:19, “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, since I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. WEB”
Our Creator has three aspects, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Although leaving to return to the Father, the Son, Jesus Christ promises to send the Holy Spirit. When confronted with persecution, ridicule, and challenges to the faith, Christ reassures of the Holy Spirit that, “he will testify.” As Christ says in John 14:18, “I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you. WEB”
Rely on the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit will convict the world of sin. In addition, he will remind the disciples of the things Jesus taught. As Jesus says in John 14:26,” But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you. WEB” In these things, he will testify, assisting the disciples as Jesus’ helped them while he walked the earth.
The Spirit will testify through the disciples as they bear the fruit of God’s Holy Spirit Galatians 5:22-23. When the powers of this world challenge the growing church and disciples are brought before powerful leaders of society, Jesus promises the help of the Spirit. The Lord assures his disciples in Luke 12:11-12 saying, “When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, don’t be anxious how or what you will answer, or what you will say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that same hour what you must say. WEB”
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for sending me your Holy Spirit. Thank you for the promise of support in difficult times. Guide me with your word and your wisdom. Keep me close to you through the power of your Holy Spirit that I will bear fruit to your glory In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: Leave Your Country
