The Spirit of Truth

‘I have said these things to you to keep you from stumbling. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, an hour is coming when those who kill you will think that by doing so they are offering worship to God. And they will do this because they have not known the Father or me. 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. But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, “Where are you going?” But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. 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. And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgement: about sin, because they do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; about judgement, because the ruler of this world has been condemned. ‘I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. John 16:1-15

We live in a time when truth is challenged every day.  Leaders who have been given incredible responsibility for the care of people seem to worry only about their fame and gain. Faithfulness is under the microscope, and some would argue only their practice of faith is correct and everyone else should perish. Jesus' disciples faced incredible backlash from the religious leaders of their day. They also were considered suspect by the political authorities. Many would suffer a horrible death. Yet, they clung to Jesus' words and promises as we must now. The Spirit did then, and will now, provide us with clarity and faith we need to face the coming days.

Gracious Creator, you stretch your arms wide

embracing the diversity and beauty of the world

and ache to bring us together in the truth of love.

We are greedy, arrogance and willfully abusive

with a little power we can all take advantage

and turn the truth into weapons of war.

Help us to remember your promises to us

that you will provide us with your Spirit

and your truth and love will prevail here. Amen.