This week, a guest post from a lay minister at our church who preached the following homily based on John 16:12-15.
Introduction:
Have you ever been in a conversation where you just couldn’t take in one more thing? You’ve heard so much already that your heart, your mind, your soul feels full to the brim? That’s where the disciples are in John 16. Jesus has been pouring his heart out to them—teaching them about love, about suffering, about abiding in him, about what is to come. And then he says something remarkable: “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.”
Jesus knows their limit. He knows our limits, too. And so, he gives them—and us—a promise: the Spirit will come and continue the conversation.
1. God’s Revelation is Ongoing
Jesus is not finished speaking. We often think of the Bible as a closed book, a finished story—and in one sense, it is. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus are the decisive acts of God. But Jesus tells us plainly: “There is more.”
There is more to learn, more to discover, more to understand about God’s heart and about our mission in the world.
The Spirit is sent to guide us into all truth—not just to repeat the past, but to reveal the living, breathing truth of Christ for today.
We are not left with a frozen faith; we are given a faith that moves, that grows, that deepens as the Spirit continues to speak.
2. The Spirit Speaks What Jesus Speaks
It’s important to notice that the Spirit does not introduce something foreign. Jesus says, “He will take what is mine and declare it to you.” The Spirit’s role is not to go off on a different path, but to bring the deep things of Jesus to light in fresh ways.
Think about how the Spirit has spoken to the church through history:
- The Spirit guided the early church to welcome Gentiles.
- The Spirit led people like William Wilberforce to see that slavery was against the Gospel.
- The Spirit continues to convict the church to pursue justice, to care for creation, to welcome the stranger, to seek peace.
The Spirit takes what is Jesus’ and brings it to life for every generation.
3. The Spirit Meets Us Where We Are
Jesus tells the disciples they cannot bear all he has to say—yet.
We don’t always like to admit it, but we all have limits. There are things we are not ready to hear. There are truths we grow into over time.
This is the kindness of God:
- God gives us what we need when we are ready.
- God is patient with us as we grow.
- God’s Spirit walks alongside us, always revealing more, but never overwhelming us.
Sometimes we struggle with questions, doubts, or unanswered prayers. Sometimes we don’t understand why something is happening in our lives. But Jesus is saying: “I will tell you more when you can bear it.”
There is more coming. The Spirit will keep guiding us, step by step.
4. The Spirit Glorifies Christ
The Spirit’s work always leads us back to Jesus.
The Spirit doesn’t glorify the church, or a preacher, or a tradition—the Spirit glorifies Christ.
How do we know the Spirit is speaking?
- When we are drawn to love Jesus more.
- When we are driven to live more like him.
- When we are empowered to serve as he served.
The Spirit is not about vague inspiration. The Spirit is about making Christ known and loved—more clearly, more deeply, more fully.
Conclusion:
Jesus still has much to say to us. The Spirit is still guiding us. The Spirit is still speaking into the life of the church, into your life, into mine.
The question is: Are we listening? Are we open? Are we ready to bear what God wants to show us next?
The beautiful promise is this: We don’t walk alone. The Spirit of truth walks with us. The Spirit is our guide, our teacher, our companion.
So today, let us open our hearts. Let us trust that God’s story is still unfolding. Let us follow the Spirit who always leads us to Jesus.
Amen.
Next Post: Julian of Norwich and God’s Great Deed
