DEVOTION FOR SUNDAY-MONDAY, MAY 20 - 21, 2007
ST. JOHN 16:5-11

ANXIOUSLY WAITING FOR PENTECOST!
 

5 “But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 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 depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. St. John 16:5-11 (NKJV)

This week in the Church Year contains the days between Ascension and Pentecost. Since there are no recorded words that were spoken by Jesus after the Ascension, these Words spoken before the Ascension that relate to the coming Pentecost are appropriate for meditation at this time.

Verses 5 - 6.  Jesus speaks of the Ascension telling them that He must return to His Father. He looks at the people and tells them He knows how sad they are.

Verse 7.  Jesus speaks of the coming Pentecost. He had previously told them that when He Ascended, the Holy Spirit, the Helper, would come.

Verses 8 - 11. Jesus tells them that the Helper, the Holy Spirit, will come and convict the world of sin.

How then do these three thoughts concern our lives?

Verses 5- 6. The uncle of my wife knew what this was about. He and his wife went to a Southern Sate for several months each winter. Just before they left, he would go to his sisters’ homes and say to them, “We are leaving in the morning. If I don’t get back or if I don’t see you when I come back, I’ll see you in Heaven.” He recognized the Ascension and the Promise of the return on the Last Day. He also knew sadness in death but he also knew of the promises of joy to come after Jesus returns.

Verse 7. I don’t have it in my car but people who do tell me that ONSTAR or similar systems are wonderful things. Imagine, just pushing a button, and you can get all the help you need. You can get directions, you can have your car unlocked, you can have it located if you don’t know where it is, you can summon all kinds of help for emergency physical needs, you can even find a comforting voice on the other end. You have confidence when you call, that ONSTAR will make everything right.

Does that description sound real? Can you really just push a button and have all of that happen? How much does it cost? Where can I buy it? I am sure it is a great convenience to have it installed in your car but would you use it more than a better system you already have?

You can’t see the ONSTAR operator, you can’t see the Holy Spirit.

You have to push a button for ONSTAR to answer. You only need to think a prayer of help and the Holy Spirit is at your side.

ONSTAR can only give you road directions; the Holy Spirit gives you directions for your life.

ONSTAR can get you into your car; the Holy Spirit is the only One who can lead you into Heaven.

ONSTAR costs so much per month after the first year; the Holy Spirit is always a free GIFT from your heavenly Father.

Verses 8 - 11.  We often think that we live in an unfair world. It seems like those who take advantage of others always get away with it. We need to remember that the Holy Spirit came to convict the world of sin. We are only able to find hope in this when we remember that the Holy Spirit daily convicts us of our sins. The difference is that we daily confess our sins and through the Holy Spirit receive the forgiving Love of God.

We have observed the Festival of the Ascension and now we anxiously await the Festival of Pentecost.

WE PRAY: LORD JESUS, When I feel alone, help me remember that you have sent the Holy Spirit to be with me and that all I need do is call on Him. AMEN.

A SUGGESTION FOR LIVING THE DEVOTION

Don’t wait for a time of crisis. Each day in each prayer ask God for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in your life.