Good morning. Our Thursday Bible character of the week is beyond my ability to describe, for I would like to have us think today of the Holy Spirit of God.
Consider the story of a settler in the mid-1800’s whose dream was to travel west to the great ocean and stake a claim. He wasn’t alone in his dream, far from it. He was one of thousands who made their way west on the Oregon Trail with such an idea. For this man though, there was a problem, for the journey was very long and difficult. So much so that most of his family and friends stopped after they had crossed the Rockies and declared that they couldn’t go on. The man in question was sorry to do so, but he left them behind. Each day he wondered if there would be some way to go back and convince them to take up their journey once again. Finally, he and those who were left of their group made their way to the wide Pacific Ocean. After some celebrating, the man ran into the ocean with a quart jar, and he filled the jar and screwed on its lid. He held it up over his head and with a great “whoop!” he made his way back to shore. The others asked him what he intended to do with the jar. “Why” he proclaimed, “I’m going to travel back to the others and show them the Pacific Ocean. Once they’ve seen it, they will be inspired to join me and come the rest of the way.”
Obviously, this wasn’t much of an idea. How could anyone be inspired by the Pacific Ocean if all they saw of it was what you could fit into a quart jar?
And this is, I believe, the dilemma of speaking of the Holy Spirit of God. Any attempt to write something inspiring about the Holy Spirit is like trying to capture the majesty of the Pacific Ocean in a jar.
There are two great spiritual needs for which mankind is constantly crying out to God. One is forgiveness, and the other is goodness. We were all created in goodness, it is our natural state of being and anything else makes us weep in loss. Within our hearts we know that we are incapable of goodness, and so we weep to God for forgiveness that we might be, for a moment at least, made good once again.
God hears our cries, and He has responded to them. God sent His Son, Jesus, as a living sacrifice for our sins so that we may be forgiven. Not only that, but by His righteousness we are re-created to once again become righteous before our God. (2 Corinthians 5:21) This is a truth that makes the enemy of God scream in anger. This enemy is, of course, our true enemy, and he does all that he can to keep us feeling helpless and defeated. It is his aim to have the children of God feel that our cries remain unheard and unanswered. He is a devious liar and a powerful adversary, but our Father God does not leave His children without power of their own. Enter the Holy Spirit of God. As Jesus said to His disciples just before he ascended into heaven, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8
It is much easier for us to focus on the teachings and gifts that are ours through Jesus. His words and the history of His love are our inspiration and hope each day. But what of those days when we feel more distant from Him, when His words are more difficult to remember and to apply. Again, enter the Holy Spirit. We read in John 14:16 of Jesus’ promise that the Holy Spirit will come to us: And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever. And then in John 14:26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
The Holy Spirit comes to us, abides within us, refreshes us, invigorates us, and reminds us of the words and the will of our Lord Jesus.
When the disciples were devasted at Jesus’ words that He would not be with them much longer in physical presence, He tells them (and us) about the Holy Spirit in John 16:7-11 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged and condemned.
Does this writing today serve to inspire and satisfy regarding our understanding of the Holy Spirit? No, I am afraid the ocean in the jar example still applies. But I hope that it is an introduction to what I believe is a very important matter for us to consider. I will continue tomorrow to talk of the Holy Spirit, and we will re-visit thoughts of Him from time to time. For today, please take the time to consider what His presence means to you, and to give thanks to God that He loves you so much that He has chosen to abide within you.
God Bless!
Vern