:: In.a.Mirror.Dimly ::

Jesus left his peace with his followers, but he also left his Holy Spirit. Saying this is not earth-shattering. However, when we look at the extent of the Holy Spirit’s role in the community of disciples, I think we’ll be surprised by the scope of the Spirit’s work.

In fact, when we look at the role of the Holy Spirit, we may find that we have not paid the Holy Spirit as much attention as the Spirit deserves. Just when I think I understand the importance of the Holy Spirit, I’m surprised anew by another facet of the Spirit’s work.

Wait for the Spirit

Jesus imparted the Holy Spirit by breathing on his disciples, but he also told them to wait for the Holy Spirit before setting out to be witnesses. It’s hard to know how to interpret the “breathing of the Holy Spirit” prior to the actual baptizing with the Holy Spirit, but one possible reading is that Jesus wanted them to have the Holy Spirit immediately. It couldn’t wait.

Waiting can be difficult, but waiting for the filling of the Holy Spirit may seem impossible for us. However, being filled with the Spirit is the only way Jesus imagined his disciples being able to minister effectively. God delights in giving his Spirit to his people, in fact, it’s something he can’t wait to do.

When we receive the Spirit, we will be enabled to bear witness to Jesus, to live in the power of the Kingdom, and to even do works greater than those Jesus performed. These have been stated explicitly in scripture, and therefore we need only the faith to receive what God gives to us freely.

The Spirit and Truth

John’s Gospel says quite a lot about the unity of the Spirit and truth, as well as the Spirit’s role in leading the disciples into truth. In fact, Jesus wanted his Spirit-led disciples to pass on their own accounts of his work.

Though Jesus revealed the truth of God in one particular time and place, he took the more personal step of continuing to reveal his truth to his people. The Spirit among us continues to teach us and continues to speak through the inspired words passed down to us.

The Spirit Who Unites

Whether advocating on our behalf in order to keep us united with God or joining disciples around the person of Jesus, the Holy Spirit also plays a uniting role. While we have our parts to play when it comes to obedience before God and fellowship with one another, the Holy Spirit has been given to us in order to make those bonds stick.

What Jesus Left Behind

Jesus told his disciples that it’s better for them if he goes away and sends the Spirit to be among us. While some evangelicals become a bit nervous with talk about the baptism of the Holy Spirit or whatever we want to call it, I think there is room to speak of the Holy Spirit’s active filling of believers today without slipping into sensationalism or manipulation.

Remember, there are plenty of Christians who abuse and misunderstand the Bible, but I don’t see anyone locking their Bibles away. Just because we’ve seen some people possibly misappropriate the Holy Spirit does not mean we should write off the Spirit’s role in our lives and our ministries.

The Holy Spirit is so important that Jesus breathed the Spirit onto his disciples right away. He told them to stay put and wait—not to try anything until the Spirit comes. The Holy Spirit is more than enough for us today, but our problems come when we charge ahead without the filling of the Spirit.