The Work of the Spirit – May 26, 2021

[Jesus said] “But the Advocate, 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.”
John 14:26

The Work of the Spirit

The Bible teaches that there is only one God but that he exists as three separate persons. It is a profound mystery we can never fully comprehend. The Bible calls these three persons the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

In our Bible reading for today, God the Son promised that the Father would send the Holy Spirit to bless his people. So just what would the Holy Spirit do?

He wouldn’t die on the cross; Jesus had already done that. Instead, the Holy Spirit would use that cross to convict the hearts of men, women, and children—this is what your sins have done! And he would use that same cross to console and comfort—this is what the Son has done for you! He’s paid your debt!

The Holy Spirit wouldn’t go from town-to-town preaching and baptizing; Jesus had already commissioned his disciples to do that. Instead, the Holy Spirit would be the power behind every word of truth the disciples would speak and write. The Holy Spirit would work through and in every baptism and every sermon.

The Holy Spirit wouldn’t change water into wine or feed thousands of people with a few loaves of bread and fish. Jesus had done that. The Holy Spirit would instead perform different kinds of miracles. He would give new life to those dead in sin. He’d supply trust and faith where there had previously been unbelief and doubt. He would impart comfort and hope where there had been shame and despair.

What would the Holy Spirit do? Exactly what he does today. Whenever and wherever God’s Word is proclaimed, the Holy Spirit is regularly and repeatedly delivering love and forgiveness. The Holy Spirit does exactly what Jesus said he would—he is reminding us of everything Jesus has said and done.

Prayer:
Holy Spirit, keep my eyes focused on Jesus; help me to know him better. Amen.