Friday, May 25, 2007

Togetherness

John 14:15-31

Jesus said, “When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am
in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.” (verse 20)


Much has been asked, discussed, and debated about the Trinity over the years. Although the Bible never uses the word Trinity, it clearly describes a God who reveals Himself in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and yet remains one united Being. It’s an incredible concept and one seemingly impossible for us to fathom.

One facet of the Trinity that has been quite inspiring and amazing to me is that of relationship
. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are in perfect harmony. They know each other’s thoughts. They are united in purpose. They are known completely, and it’s good. There is no fear, no defensiveness, no brokenness in their relationship. They are in constant, perfect community. They are One.

In today’s passage, Jesus tells His disciples that He’s sending them another Advocate, the Holy Spirit, that God will soon live in them, rather than near them. The promise of the Holy Spirit is for all who trust in Jesus as their Savior. God lives in us. We are Jesus’ body; we’re in Jesus. We are connected – to God and to each other. Our relationships aren’t nearly as perfect as the connection within our Triune God, yet Jesus describes our relationship with God and with each other as being much like His relationship with His Father. We can expect, as we grow together – and especially as we look forward to life in this new home Jesus is preparing for us – that the connection, the community, the unity will be significantly better in time.


Thank you, God, for desiring relationship with us and for your unyielding effort to connect with us. Thank you for sending Jesus to save us and your Holy Spirit to guide, comfort, and live inside us! Work in us, so that we will be more united with you and with your people.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is confusing to me. It says that the Holy Spirit was already WITH the disciples, but would later be IN them.(Verse 17) At Pentecost, did the Spirit for the first time dwell IN people, but was present (around/with) people before that?

Anonymous said...

Very interesting! I know what it looks/feels like to have Jesus in my heart. It is revolutionary. What does it look/feel like if the Holy Spirit is actually IN people? The verse does seem to indicate that there will be a difference. ChriS