The Holy Spirit, like Jesus, is Truth and Helper.
Reading: Acts 1:1-8
Key verse : “For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (Acts 1:5)
Other references: John 14:16, John 15:26
//Matthew 3:11& Luke 3:16- I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
The Lord Jesus spent 3 full years with His disciples. He ate with them, traveled places with them and did ministry together. The disciples studied and learned from Him directly, as they listened to His teachings and preaching. They witnessed and saw miracles He did firsthand. Jesus trained them to be teachers of the Word of God, to be preachers, prophets, and evangelists. However, Jesus had to go back physically to His heavenly home to be with His Father. Jesus had fulfilled His mission and primary purpose when He gave His life as a sin offering for the world. Jesus died on the cross for the sin of the world (John 19), then rose after 3 days. He showed Himself to His disciples and others for 40 days. During this time, He gave them His last words and re-commissioned them. (Acts 1:1). Jesus encouraged the disciples one more time (but not the last time).
“For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (v.5)
Jesus promised this to His disciples even before He died on the cross.
“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:16-17
Jesus had to go back to heaven, leaving the earth, but He did not abandon His followers, disciples, and friends.
I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. (v.18)
He already made plans for them, to send the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth.
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. He speaks the Truth, which is the Word of God, to enlighten peoples’ minds and to convict of sin.
“But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. (John 15:26)
The Holy Spirit is also the Helper. Like Jesus, He helps in time of need. Like Jesus, He promised to stay with the disciples forever. As Jesus promised His disciples, I will not leave you orphans (John 14:18)
The Holy Spirit, like Jesus, is Truth and Helper. He continues to do the work of Jesus – to speak the truth of God’s words. The Holy Spirit is the Helper, our help in time of need, whatever the situation, whatever we need – healing of bodies, healing of emotions, healing of minds, providing for financial needs, giving guidance, protection, comfort, etc.
Reflection:
Jesus is back in heaven, but He is still with us, as His followers, through the Holy Spirit. He provides for us, meeting every need we could possibly imagine. He gave us the Holy Spirit to guide us into Truth – to be our Teacher and Helper in times of need. The Holy Spirit abides or stay with us forever.
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to us Your followers. Thank You Holy Spirit for helping me in time of need, and for guiding and teaching me the Truth of God and His words. Amen!
Part 2: The Holy Spirit gives power to do the works of Jesus!
Reading: Acts 1:8-26
Key verse: “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
//Luke 24:49 – “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
One of the last things the Lord Jesus told His disciples before He returned to heaven was,
“For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (v.5); And “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (v.8)
His disciples thought Jesus was talking about physical power.
“Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? (v.7).
The disciples knew and believed with all their hearts that Jesus was their long-awaited Messiah or Savior. However, their definition of Messiah was different from Jesus’ kingdom’s definition. Perhaps in the minds of the disciples and other people of Israel, they thought the Messiah or Savior was like Moses or David. Moses was their physical ruler who freed them from slavery in Egypt (See Exodus). Later, David led the people of Israel into battles and established his kingdom throughout Israel (See 2 Samuel). Perhaps, the disciples and other people were thinking, Jesus would do the same, delivering them from oppression and tyranny of the Roman rule. However, as the Word says in Isaiah 55:8
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.”
The mind of Christ and the plan of God was far greater than the thinking of men – temporary relief. Men like the people of Israel thought of physical deliverance from hardships, taxation, violence, and other physical oppressions. From the beginning, when Jesus was born on earth, God’s plan was to deliver people from the bondage of sin.
For He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21 NKJV)
The plan of God was not just a temporary relief from hardships and oppression, His plan of salvation was far greater than temporary earthly relief. His plan of salvation was eternal – to deliver people from sin. God’s plan of salvation for the people of Israel is the same for everyone in the world. (John 3:16)
So, when Jesus told His disciples, “You will receive power…” (Acts 1:8), He meant the power to preach the Gospel, the power to heal sick people, to perform miracles, so people would believe in Jesus. When Jesus was with His disciples on earth, He did the Father’s will – preaching salvation, teaching the people the words of God, healing the sick, and delivering people from demonic oppression. Jesus’s focus and mission were to set people free from sin, from hell and eternal condemnation. The same power Jesus received from the Father, He passed on to His disciples through the power of the Holy Spirit so they could be witnesses in all places starting in Jerusalem and then moving to other cities, other places, other countries, and to the ends of the earth.
Reflection:
The same power Jesus gave His disciples is available to all His followers even to this day – the power to preach the Gospel, teach the Word of God, heal the sick, deliver people from demonic oppression, set people free from sin, hell and eternal condemnation. As followers of Jesus, the power of the Holy Spirit is made available to us all.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for sending Your Holy Spirit to us. Thank You Holy Spirit for coming. Please fill us with your power – Your spirit of strength and courage to be witnesses for our Lord Jesus to everyone, in every place you send us.
Your Reflection:
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Your Prayer:
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