Ascension - Day 03
Day 03: Wednesday, April 12
Read John 14:15-31; John 16:4-15
Highlight
At the end of yesterday’s reading, Jesus told the disciples that he would be sending them “the promise of my Father.” (Luke 24:49) Today’s reading tells us what that promise was: the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. In John 14:16, Jesus calls the Spirit “another Counselor to be with you forever.” The word used here for ‘another’ means another thing of the same kind. In other words, Jesus is telling them that the Counselor will be like him. This communicates several things: the Spirit would help continue Jesus’ ministry by providing the same power because He is also God.
Even something that similar would probably be shocking to the disciples. How could Jesus send anything or anyone that could compare to HIM? But Jesus takes it a step further in John 16 where he tells his followers that it’s actually better for them for Jesus to leave and send the Spirit instead. Many modern followers of Jesus imagine that their faith would be easier if only they could be in Jesus’ physical presence. See him with their eyes and touch him with their hands. However, Jesus’ words and the actual history of the church show that to have the Spirit is to have more of Jesus, not less. Jesus has said it repeatedly in today’s reading: even the men and women who have been personally with him for years don’t truly understand him. The disciples knew Jesus more after He left because the Holy Spirit is not a replacement for God…He is God! Just look at the difference between the disciples before the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2) and after. The Ascension of Jesus triggered the coming of the Holy Spirit and the fulfillment of promises that were made centuries before this. It launched the church by providing the presence, revelation, and power of God not just where Jesus was present, but wherever his followers were.
Reflection
Every passage in the Bible, including the one you just read, is “...inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” 2 Timothy 3:16
Prayer
Let the passage we just read guide your prayers. Use the acronym ACTS.
Adoration - Praise God for the truth this passage communicated about him.
Confession - Confess to God the thing that this passage showed you is wrong in your life.
Thanksgiving - Thank God for what this passage taught you was true about you and for the ways He is already helping you to do what is right.
Supplication - Ask God for help to do what this passage teaches to do and accomplish the good works he has for you.
Read John 14:15-31; John 16:4-15
Highlight
At the end of yesterday’s reading, Jesus told the disciples that he would be sending them “the promise of my Father.” (Luke 24:49) Today’s reading tells us what that promise was: the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. In John 14:16, Jesus calls the Spirit “another Counselor to be with you forever.” The word used here for ‘another’ means another thing of the same kind. In other words, Jesus is telling them that the Counselor will be like him. This communicates several things: the Spirit would help continue Jesus’ ministry by providing the same power because He is also God.
Even something that similar would probably be shocking to the disciples. How could Jesus send anything or anyone that could compare to HIM? But Jesus takes it a step further in John 16 where he tells his followers that it’s actually better for them for Jesus to leave and send the Spirit instead. Many modern followers of Jesus imagine that their faith would be easier if only they could be in Jesus’ physical presence. See him with their eyes and touch him with their hands. However, Jesus’ words and the actual history of the church show that to have the Spirit is to have more of Jesus, not less. Jesus has said it repeatedly in today’s reading: even the men and women who have been personally with him for years don’t truly understand him. The disciples knew Jesus more after He left because the Holy Spirit is not a replacement for God…He is God! Just look at the difference between the disciples before the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2) and after. The Ascension of Jesus triggered the coming of the Holy Spirit and the fulfillment of promises that were made centuries before this. It launched the church by providing the presence, revelation, and power of God not just where Jesus was present, but wherever his followers were.
Reflection
Every passage in the Bible, including the one you just read, is “...inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” 2 Timothy 3:16
- What in this passage did the Spirit bring to light for you?
- What are you going to do in your life to respond to this passage?
Prayer
Let the passage we just read guide your prayers. Use the acronym ACTS.
Adoration - Praise God for the truth this passage communicated about him.
Confession - Confess to God the thing that this passage showed you is wrong in your life.
Thanksgiving - Thank God for what this passage taught you was true about you and for the ways He is already helping you to do what is right.
Supplication - Ask God for help to do what this passage teaches to do and accomplish the good works he has for you.
Posted in Easter 2023