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. John 16:13 NRSV
As our first president, we likely know more about George Washington than any other. We know he was a general, founding father, husband to Martha, loved to dance, and had wooden teeth. It's also likely we recall six-year-old George's reply to his father when questioned about the damaged cherry tree, “I cannot tell a lie…I did cut it with my hatchet.”
Today's verse is a different story about truth–that of God. Jesus would soon return to the Father, and he was preparing his disciples for the time he would no longer be with them. The Father would not abandon them, though; in Jesus' place was being sent a helper–the Holy Spirit.
In the time ahead, the disciples would be questioned and challenged. Where formerly they had relief on Jesus for the honest answers, they now could turn to the Holy Spirit. The Spirit cannot tell lies because it is the voice of God. The disciples, in listening and obeying that voice, it was as if Jesus was still with them–it came from the same source, the Father.
That same Spirit resides with believers today. When we have queries about those hard questions of life and lack direction, we can turn to the Holy Spirit. The answers we receive may not always be what we want to hear, but they will be the truth. God loves his children and will never tell untruths (he can’t) to assuage our feelings but desires what is best for us.
Father, thank you for sending your Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit. By the Spirit, we hear your voice of truth. Help us approach your throne with humble boldness with the certainty you will answer. Upon hearing your response, may we accept and obey your will. We pray this in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
Story of the cherry tree here.
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