Word to the Wise
Wednesday, May 28, 2014 - 6th Week of Easter - Wed
[Acts 17:15, 22-18:1 and John 16:12-15]I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming.....
Good art, like good drama, can have a way of "building tension" that leads to a climax of sorts. The Farewell Discourse is doing that in regard to the coming of the Advocate, the Spirit of truth! We have seen more than one "painting" by our artist on this subject, and we have yet another today! We have to remember as well that our artist, John the Evangelist, working under the inspiration of that same Spirit, was composing the Farewell Discourse many years after it happened and probably had many different versions of the words and events to work from. It should not surprise us if some of these repeat things that were said earlier while still "moving us" along to a promised "conclusion!" All these references to the Advocate or Spirit are speaking from the current experience of the community which looks back to Jesus' promise made back at the original event!
Throughout this Farewell Discourse, Jesus is preparing the disciples to carry on after his death and resurrection - his "glorification." Sometimes it is not possible to tell a person everything they will be facing in a challenge, even when the one doing the preparing has all the information! Some things just have to be experienced first. Jesus is saying that when that time comes, the disciples will have the guidance of the Spirit. I know that has been my experience in life, so this painting touches a familiar note to me. We can think about this as we move on. AMEN