April 14th, 2025
by Pastor Brandon
by Pastor Brandon
Apr. 13, 2025 - The Holy Spirit
The Last Words That Matter Most
As we approach the final days of Lent and enter Holy Week, our thoughts turn to the profound events that unfolded in Jerusalem nearly two millennia ago. The air is thick with anticipation, much like it must have been for Jesus' disciples as they gathered in that upper room, unaware of the momentous changes about to unfold.
In those final, precious moments before His arrest and crucifixion, Jesus shared some of His most important teachings. These weren't just any words – they were the last instructions of a dying Savior to those He loved most. And in them, we find a message that resonates just as powerfully today as it did then.
Jesus begins by addressing the elephant in the room: His imminent departure. "I am going away," He tells them, His voice likely tinged with both sorrow and resolve. It's a statement that should have prompted a flurry of questions, yet curiously, the disciples remain silent. Perhaps they were too stunned, too afraid to contemplate a future without their Master by their side.
But Jesus, ever the compassionate teacher, doesn't leave them in suspense. He goes on to explain that His leaving is necessary, for it will usher in something – or rather, someone – new. "If I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you," He says, introducing them to the concept of the Holy Spirit.
This is where things get beautifully complex. Jesus begins to unfold the mystery of the Trinity – God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It's a concept that has puzzled theologians for centuries, spawning countless books and doctrines. Yet Jesus presents it not as a dry theological construct, but as a living reality that will transform their lives.
There's an undercurrent of nurture and comfort in Jesus' words. Like a loving parent preparing a child for a necessary separation, He reassures them that they won't be left alone. The Advocate – the Holy Spirit – will come to guide, remind, and empower them. It's a promise of continued presence, even in apparent absence.
This nurturing aspect of God is sometimes overlooked in our often masculine-centric view of divinity. Yet here, in this intimate upper room discourse, we see a God who feels deeply, who understands pain and separation, who longs to comfort and reassure. It's reminiscent of a mother's love – fierce, protective, and ever-present.
Imagine if this had been a stereotypical "dad talk" instead. We might have heard something like, "Toughen up! I've taught you everything you need to know. Now it's time for you to stand on your own two feet." But that's not the message Jesus delivers. Instead, He promises ongoing support, guidance, and love through the presence of the Holy Spirit.
This brings us to a profound truth: because of Jesus' death and resurrection, we now have the constant presence of God in our lives through the Holy Spirit. It's not a distant, unreachable deity, but an intimate, ever-present companion. This is the very essence of what the Lenten season invites us to explore – drawing closer to God, recognizing His desire to be active in our daily lives.
As we reflect on this, we might ask ourselves: How has our own Lenten journey been this year? Have we truly heard Jesus' words about the nearness of the Holy Spirit? Have we engaged in practices and disciplines that draw us closer to God, recognizing His desire for intimacy with us?
The story of Palm Sunday serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers of shallow faith. The same crowds that enthusiastically waved palm branches and shouted "Hosanna!" would, just days later, cry out for Jesus' crucifixion. It's a stark illustration of the fickleness of human nature and the perils of following the crowd without true conviction.
This brings us to a challenging question for Christians today, particularly in cultures where Christianity is the dominant religion: Are we merely following the "herd mentality" of cultural Christianity? Are we Christians simply because it's the default, because it's what our families have always done? Or do we have a deep, personal understanding of who Jesus is and what He means to us?
The invitation of this Holy Week is to move beyond surface-level faith. It's a call to see Jesus not just as a good teacher or a prophet, but as He truly is – the second person of the Trinity, God in human flesh. It's an opportunity to deepen our relationship with the triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – who is constantly reaching out to us in love.
As we wave our palm branches and shout our hosannas, let's do so with hearts that truly understand the significance of what we're celebrating. Let's approach this Holy Week not as passive observers, but as active participants in the ongoing story of God's redemptive love.
The message of the upper room discourse is clear: God is not distant. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, He is intimately involved in our lives, guiding, comforting, and empowering us. This week, as we journey towards the cross and the empty tomb, let's open our hearts to experience the fullness of God's presence.
May we not be like the fickle crowds, praising one day and condemning the next. Instead, let us be steadfast disciples, continually seeking to draw closer to the God who is always near. For in the end, it's not about religious observance or cultural tradition. It's about a living, dynamic relationship with the triune God who loves us beyond measure.
As we enter into this holiest of weeks, may we do so with hearts open to encounter God in new and profound ways. May we hear afresh Jesus' words of comfort and promise. And may we experience the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, in our daily lives.
In those final, precious moments before His arrest and crucifixion, Jesus shared some of His most important teachings. These weren't just any words – they were the last instructions of a dying Savior to those He loved most. And in them, we find a message that resonates just as powerfully today as it did then.
Jesus begins by addressing the elephant in the room: His imminent departure. "I am going away," He tells them, His voice likely tinged with both sorrow and resolve. It's a statement that should have prompted a flurry of questions, yet curiously, the disciples remain silent. Perhaps they were too stunned, too afraid to contemplate a future without their Master by their side.
But Jesus, ever the compassionate teacher, doesn't leave them in suspense. He goes on to explain that His leaving is necessary, for it will usher in something – or rather, someone – new. "If I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you," He says, introducing them to the concept of the Holy Spirit.
This is where things get beautifully complex. Jesus begins to unfold the mystery of the Trinity – God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It's a concept that has puzzled theologians for centuries, spawning countless books and doctrines. Yet Jesus presents it not as a dry theological construct, but as a living reality that will transform their lives.
There's an undercurrent of nurture and comfort in Jesus' words. Like a loving parent preparing a child for a necessary separation, He reassures them that they won't be left alone. The Advocate – the Holy Spirit – will come to guide, remind, and empower them. It's a promise of continued presence, even in apparent absence.
This nurturing aspect of God is sometimes overlooked in our often masculine-centric view of divinity. Yet here, in this intimate upper room discourse, we see a God who feels deeply, who understands pain and separation, who longs to comfort and reassure. It's reminiscent of a mother's love – fierce, protective, and ever-present.
Imagine if this had been a stereotypical "dad talk" instead. We might have heard something like, "Toughen up! I've taught you everything you need to know. Now it's time for you to stand on your own two feet." But that's not the message Jesus delivers. Instead, He promises ongoing support, guidance, and love through the presence of the Holy Spirit.
This brings us to a profound truth: because of Jesus' death and resurrection, we now have the constant presence of God in our lives through the Holy Spirit. It's not a distant, unreachable deity, but an intimate, ever-present companion. This is the very essence of what the Lenten season invites us to explore – drawing closer to God, recognizing His desire to be active in our daily lives.
As we reflect on this, we might ask ourselves: How has our own Lenten journey been this year? Have we truly heard Jesus' words about the nearness of the Holy Spirit? Have we engaged in practices and disciplines that draw us closer to God, recognizing His desire for intimacy with us?
The story of Palm Sunday serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers of shallow faith. The same crowds that enthusiastically waved palm branches and shouted "Hosanna!" would, just days later, cry out for Jesus' crucifixion. It's a stark illustration of the fickleness of human nature and the perils of following the crowd without true conviction.
This brings us to a challenging question for Christians today, particularly in cultures where Christianity is the dominant religion: Are we merely following the "herd mentality" of cultural Christianity? Are we Christians simply because it's the default, because it's what our families have always done? Or do we have a deep, personal understanding of who Jesus is and what He means to us?
The invitation of this Holy Week is to move beyond surface-level faith. It's a call to see Jesus not just as a good teacher or a prophet, but as He truly is – the second person of the Trinity, God in human flesh. It's an opportunity to deepen our relationship with the triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – who is constantly reaching out to us in love.
As we wave our palm branches and shout our hosannas, let's do so with hearts that truly understand the significance of what we're celebrating. Let's approach this Holy Week not as passive observers, but as active participants in the ongoing story of God's redemptive love.
The message of the upper room discourse is clear: God is not distant. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, He is intimately involved in our lives, guiding, comforting, and empowering us. This week, as we journey towards the cross and the empty tomb, let's open our hearts to experience the fullness of God's presence.
May we not be like the fickle crowds, praising one day and condemning the next. Instead, let us be steadfast disciples, continually seeking to draw closer to the God who is always near. For in the end, it's not about religious observance or cultural tradition. It's about a living, dynamic relationship with the triune God who loves us beyond measure.
As we enter into this holiest of weeks, may we do so with hearts open to encounter God in new and profound ways. May we hear afresh Jesus' words of comfort and promise. And may we experience the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, in our daily lives.
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