Tuesday of Trinity I - Devotion in Exile

Lection for Tuesday after Trinity I 
Proverbs 16:1-24      John 16:1-16

In our text, Jesus is talking about the things that are to come – the things for which the Father will glorify Him. What exactly are the things to come, for which the Father will glorify Him?

Put into historical context, in other words, where and when is Jesus speaking these words? At the time of our text, Jesus is in the upper room with His disciple on Holy Thursday. He has already washed their feet, and has already spoken about a few things, He is preparing them for what is about to take place.

What is it that is about to take place? His betrayal by Judas in the Garden of Gethsemane, His arrest, mock trial before the chief priests, His abuse at their hands before they turn Him over to Pilate, and then His suffering, crucifixion, and death by the hands of Roman soldiers.

But the disciples do not understand, they need the Holy Spirit to guide them into all truth. When Jesus tells them that is to their advantage that He go away, He is not talking simply about His going so that the Spirit will come to them. Jesus must go away! He must go away to suffer many things, be crucified, and die. He must go away into the tomb and rise again. This is not only for the advantage of the disciples, but for the advantage of all sinners – to your advantage and mine.

As the Spirit comes to them, they will finally understand and believe. It happens as they hear the Word. That is what Jesus teaches. Remember when Jesus talked about the rich man in hell with Lazarus in heaven? When the rich man suggested that Lazarus should return to the living to visit his family to warn them so they would not also end up in hell, the response is, “They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.” To this the rich man insists, “No, Father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!”

The response is simple, “If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.” (Luke 16:31) If the Spirit, at work in God’s Word of the Old Testament will not convince them, then they will be damned. Christ says the Word is the means by which Truth comes. Dear friends, that is how the Spirit works – by the Word proclaimed.

When Jesus stood in their midst, they did not comprehend. When Jesus explained the things that were going to come in His life – His suffering, death, and resurrection, they did not understand. In fact, they not only did not understand, they did not believe.

After His crucifixion, once He had been laid in the grave, on the third day they were hiding out behind locked doors because they did not understand or believe what He had said. Even after the women told them they had seen Him arisen, and that an angel had told them He had risen, they did not understand. And when the two came back from Emmaus saying they had spoken with the resurrected Lord, they remained hidden behind locked doors – confused and disbelieving.

It was only after the He was gone, and the Holy Spirit worked on their hearts, that they finally came to believe all that was spoken.

What is the truth? What are the things to come which Jesus is talking about in our text? They are not things which people are waiting to happen at Christ’s triumphal return, these are not the things to come about at the end of the world.

Truth is the things of His coming which had been spoken about in the Scriptures. Truth was Jesus explained on the road to Emmaus, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. (Luke 24:25-27)

At Jesus’ speaking in our Gospel lesson, these are the things to come. Truth is the things revealed by Moses, the Psalms, and the prophets. Truth is the things concerning Him and what He would accomplish. Truth is Christ’s perfect life, sacrificed unto death upon the cross. Truth is that His atonement purchased forgiveness for the sinfulness of all mankind. Truth is, His work was finished upon the cross, everything needing to be done was accomplished, all for your salvation is completed – upon the cross. Truth proclaims that His subsequent rising on the third day declares that His sacrifice is accepted by God for the sinfulness of all.

Why do people think there has to be more to it, like there is something more than that which needs to be done. You hear it when people ask.

What do I need to do to earn a place in God’s kingdom?

What must I do to accept Jesus in my heart?

What must I do to have faith?

What must I do to be ready on the last day?

Have I done enough to get into heaven?

Truth? It is done for you, and given to you. Unless the Spirit of truth guides you into all truth, it does not happen.

Truth convicts the world of sin. It is only the Holy Spirit who will lead people to repentance. Truth leads each of us to understand, “I am a sinner, who has not loved God with my whole heart, and who has not loved my neighbor as myself.” Truth leads to understanding that not everything in the world is God-pleasing, in fact, much of what the world believes and teaches is contrary to God’s Word. But it is only truth, only the Spirit, which can convince us of that. Only truth – only the Spirit convicts me of my sin – and leads me to repentance.

Truth convicts concerning righteousness. Righteousness is in Christ alone, that is why He did what He did. Christ proclaims from the cross, “Tetelestai! It is finished, accomplished, completed!” But how many believe that? Christ purchased my forgiveness with His innocent suffering and death. His resurrection proclaimed the victory complete. The Spirit changes my heart so that I trust not in myself, but in Christ alone.

It is easy however to fall into false belief, to lean on our own understanding, our own works. It is easy to doubt our salvation, to worry that on the last day something in me will be found lacking. “Have I done enough to get into heaven?” The answer is, “No! You have not! And if you continue relying upon yourself, you will be lost.”

Do you see how hard it is to give that kind of thinking up? Truth proclaims what Jesus has proclaimed, “Tetelestai! It is finished, accomplish, completed! Your righteousness, your holiness before God is God’s gift to you, purchased and delivered to you in Christ Jesus. It is a done deal!

Satan whispers such lies into our ears, it is he who would like us to think that there is something in us that we have not accomplished, and if we want salvation, we better do it. Truth is that he has been judged, his lies have been exposed. His hold upon you has be broken, he is already judged, condemned, and defeated. He can accuse you no more.

Truth is the things that come to you, for the Spirit takes what is Christ’s, and gives it to you.

Truth – your sins are forgiven.

Truth – take eat:

Truth – take drink:

Truth – given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sin.

Truth – wherever two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Truth – the Spirit of truth comes to make of your hearts believing hearts.

Truth – lean not on your own understanding.

Truth – you have eternal life and salvation.

Truth - go in peace, sin no more.

Let us pray:     Grant Lord, Your Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, that all who hear the Word of Christ proclaimed that the Truth would reign in their heart unto life everlasting. Amen.