May 14, 2017
Cantate
John 16:5-15
In Name of the + Jesus. Amen.
“Now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.”
You are not alone. You have not been left with your sin, abandoned to fear of judgment, and condemned to death. Not a single one of you is alone, abandoned, forsaken, or condemned. No other faith, religion, piety, or practice that will absolve you, acquit you, and save you from death. You are not alone with your sorrow
The reason is simple: No other faith trusts in Jesus Christ. In no one but Christ is forgiveness of all sin, complete justification before God the Father, and the resurrection of the body. There is no other access to God, no other way to unburden your conscience, and no other way to suffer, weep, and grieve with hope.
Jesus spoke of “going to the Father.” But He doesn’t leave you behind. This is the culmination of all the work of your salvation: his death on the cross, His resurrection from the grave, and even His ascension to the right hand of the Father. As He takes His place at the right hand, you know for certain that everything needed for your forgiveness, righteousness, and resurrection is accomplished.
“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 depart, I will send Him to you.”
You are not alone. You are not friendless orphans. This is the truth, begun when the Holy Spirit came upon the Apostolic church at Pentecost. Jesus tells you that He sends to you the Paraclete, translated helper, comforter, or advocate. The Paraclete (Holy Spirit) pleads and intercedes for you. He is your help and our comfort.
He is Christ’s Spirit as we rightly confess in the Creed. Of this Spirit, Isaiah says: “The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon [the Messiah], The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.” (Isaiah 11:2) Therefore, the Spirit’s presence is Christ’s presence.
This is the same Spirit who first called you to listen to Jesus. This is the same Spirit who brought you into the body of Jesus by Holy Baptism. This is the same Spirit who fills your ears today with Jesus’s Word. This is the same Spirit who works repentance, faith, and love in you to keep you with Jesus until He comes again. Called, gathered, enlightened, and sanctified.
“When [the Paraclete] has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.”
Jesus is describing what the Paraclete’s work is and precisely how revolutionary it is. The Holy Spirit convicts or reproves the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment. The Spirit doesn’t hack and slash away at the world. The Spirit doesn’t introduce new rules and laws. He simply comes and preaches the God’s Word and especially the Gospel. He comes not to abuse and punish but to comfort and correct.
Don’t be deceived. There is no other way to be forgiven, saved, and resurrected. There is salvation in no one else, in no other name than Jesus Christ. This must be given to you, a good gift and perfect gift, coming down from the Father of lights. Your song is a new song. Your life is a new life. Your citizenship is from above. You are first-fruits of His new creation. Christ’s kingdom is not of this world. The Christian message is not of this world. You can search for another truth, another way, another life but you will fail.
Therefore, the Spirit must come and reprove the world of sin, both obvious vices and the sin of the heart. The Paraclete cuts through all our defenses and show the chief sin,