Sunday after Ascension
May 20, 2012
(John 14:25-27 NIV) "All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
In these words, Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to his closest followers, something which was spectacularly fulfilled on Pentecost, to be celebrated next Sunday.
Jesus spoke these words in the upper room the same night in which he was betrayed, after Judas Iscariot had left.
The Holy Spirit is the person of the Godhead through whom the Holy Scriptures were inspired, as Peter tells us: "For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." (2 Peter 1:21 NIV) "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." (KJV)
Thus that same Holy Spirit teaches us all things – if we search the Scriptures – and reminds us of everything Jesus said. We need not fear that God isn’t telling us everything we need to know for our eternal salvation. Many false prophets today come and offer some kind of knowledge which is NOT God’s knowledge. But we must return again and again to the Word of God, available in a language we can read and understand. In that way we, too, can have all the peace that Jesus wants us to have, especially peace with God knowing our sins are forgiven because of what Jesus himself did.
Prayer
Almighty and everlasting God, make us to always have a devout will toward Thee and to serve Thee with a pure heart. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, thy Son, Our Lord.
Amen
