“But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me. And you must also testify about me because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry.” John 15:26-27
A final day in Jerusalem and in the Holy Land. We have been following in the footsteps of Jesus. Walking where he walked, hearing what he taught, seeing the people, the places and the situations in which he taught.
We are coming off his words about persecution and how the world hates him even though he performed miracles. They hate him and his Father who sent him, says Jesus. Now, he is talking about sending another to testify about Jesus.
This helper is the Advocate, the Spirit of truth. It’s the Holy Spirit. Until Jesus came, the Spirit of God was selective in whom he filled and in whom he dwelled. Now, all who believe will receive the Holy Spirit. Jesus says he will “come to you from the Father and will testify all about me.” So the purpose of the Holy Spirit is to point to Jesus. He comes from both Jesus and the Father but his main priority is “Jesus talk.” (If you claim to be a follower yet your focus is not testifying about Jesus then you might rethink your conversation.)
Yet it’s not only the role of this Spirit of Truth to testify— it’s also our calling. Jesus said, “you must also testify about me because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry.”
During this time we have been to Bethlehem where Jesus was born. We went to Nazareth where he grew up. We went to the Sea of Galilee to places like Capernaum where he lived and performed his public ministry. And we have ended up in Jerusalem where he suffered, died and rose again. We are twenty first century disciples who are called to testify about the truth.
Thank be to God we don’t have to do this on our own! We too have the Spirit of truth, the Holy Spirit, living inside of us, calling us to do good words for God and to testify about Jesus.
This pilgrimage is nothing if it’s not strengthening of one’s faith and one’s commitment to spread the Gospel truth. We who have the opportunity to walk the land of the Bible must encourage others, both believers and nonbelievers alike, to turn their eyes upon Jesus— the Son of God and Son of man. We do so with the Helper, the Advocate, the Holy Spirit of God.
“O Lord God, this is my final day to look upon your Holy City. To walk your streets, see the sights, smell the smells, witness to your faithfulness of so many years ago. Save your people. Redeem your land. Return your Messiah so all might know the truth of your love. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen