Scripture to Read: John 15:26–27
Jesus laid the foundation for the disciples (and for all believers since that time) to understand the hatred of the world. But then, Jesus shared the encouraging words about His Holy Spirit. Jesus said in John 15:26–27, “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, 27 and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning.” Remember, at this time in the disciples’ lives, the Holy Spirit would come upon them, but He was not living in them yet. The Holy Spirit had not been poured out as God had promised in many Old Testament prophecies (Isaiah 11:1–2, Isaiah 32:15, Isaiah 44:3–4, Isaiah 59:16–21, Isaiah 61:1–3, Ezekiel 36:26–27, Ezekiel 37:1–14, Joel 2:28–29). Still, the Holy Spirit has always been actively working because He is God. Jesus reminded the disciples that His Holy Spirit would come and that He would come from God the Father. Jesus told them that the Holy Spirit would testify about Him and that He, the Holy Spirit, would speak through the disciples so they would also testify about Jesus. We have the Holy Spirit living in us, and He is not just in us to save us from our sins; He lives in us to use us to testify about our King. We must submit to Him daily and pray Ephesians 6:19–20, for only He can give us the right words and the boldness we need to proclaim Christ.
Challenge & Application
• Why did the Holy Spirit need to come and live in the followers of Christ?
• How do you see the Holy Spirit using you to proclaim our Lord and honor Him through your life?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!