Jesus promises the Holy Spirit John 14:15-2

John 14:15-21 Gospel reading for Sunday 29th May 2011

Let's first of all recall that we are in the middle of Jesus' extended farewell speech that starts in chapter 13 and runs right through into chapter 17. This is heavy stuff! I'm trying to imagine how tough it must have been for the disciples to comprehend what Jesus was on about. They no doubt were very familiar with the beliefs upheld by the Jewish religion, but Jesus had consistently challenged the very foundation of their thinking during the past three years. They were now being taken to yet another new and uncomfortable level, into fresh uncharted territory, into things full of mystery, with one confusion after another. In this long string of farewell statements by Jesus, they could well be excused for thinking that He was from another planet! Note also that the thread of convincing His disciples (and us) that He is true God, strongly carries over from last week's reading.

But as we view this now from the other side of the cross, it is possible to see two levels of imagery:

1. Pictures of the second coming and judgement  - which the disciples would have no doubt read into this, reinforcing their traditional beliefs on these matters.
2. There is also the suggestion that Jesus may have been referring to His resurrection and reappearances in the near future to his disciples - (which they probably totally missed)

But is there a third interpretation? I suspect so. This is particularly noticeable if we read on a few more verses and especially verse 23. If we compare this back with verse 2 and 3 from last week (the dwelling place and rooms talked about in some far-off place associated with the traditional second coming of Jesus), careful examination reveals that there is now a distinct switch. We suddenly hear Jesus saying that both He and the Father will take up residence in the lives of people right now. He promises the presence of both the Father and the Son to believers as we engage in His mission. Especially significant is the introduction of plural wording in verse 23 where Jesus says  ... "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them and we will come to them and make our home with them." 

Here lies one of the great mysteries of our faith ... that God comes to us and that He is present with us NOW ... and no wonder it went completely over the heads of the disciples, because I think the reality of this critical fact has largely been lost on generations of Christian people ever since.

Maybe centuries of reciting the old early church creed ... that suggests very strongly that Jesus did his stuff here on earth, then disappeared up into that far-off heaven place to sit down on the throne and look down on us getting ready to judge us ... hasn't actually helped us to understand the mystery of God with us, in us and around us right now!

Lord we thank you for your presence in us. Thank you for coming to us and making your home in us. Help us in Lutheran Schools to share this mystery with those around us. Amen