March 11, 2021
John 16:5-11, “But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.”
Jesus points out yet another aspect of the Holy Spirit who will come: the Spirit will convict the world. He breaks down this conviction into three parts: sin, righteousness, and judgment. Another way to state this is like this: he will indict those who don’t trust in the name of Jesus; he will convince people of the standard of righteousness that was in Christ - the reason why he was so magnetic in his lifetime; and he will condemn the ways of Satan, who is here called ‘the ruler of this world.’ Jesus shows that he will deal with sin, will illuminate the only way to righteousness - which is Christ himself, and disarm Satan and his temporary rule (Col. 2). These discussions of the Helper as Jesus thinks of his departure assist us in seeing the Trinity in its fullness. The Father creates and plans redemption, The Son Jesus accomplishes this redemption, and the Spirit applies that redemption to our hearts. Father is Creator; Son is Savior; Spirit is Helper/Convicter/Consoler.
Jesus says it is to our advantage that he would go and send the Spirit; Jesus can only be with his people as they have access to him bodily, but with the Spirit this is quite different. Each believer can have The Holy Spirit with him in any time or any place. This is a great advantage indeed! And this Spirit will help us to understand the magnitude of our sin, the total righteousness of Christ, and the power of the cross.
Prayer: Father, we pray that you would convict us of sin by the Spirit, and then show us the answer to that sin on the other side of that very door - show us Jesus Christ. Show us that his righteousness is all we need to be seen as righteous before you. Lord Jesus, we too, renounce Satan and the ways of this world. Help us to follow you, Jesus, in all that we do. Amen.
40 Days of Joy: Handwriting. Perhaps you know what it is like to open a letter from an old friend or to find your grandmother’s old recipes in her handwriting. Handwriting is unique, says something about us (you can’t read mine), but reminds us of the beauty of a person made in God’s image.
