 Happy Easter!
It’s Holy Week. The week that Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected from the grave with all power in His hands. Even if you’re just kinda, sorta faithful, you go to Church on Easter to celebrate the resurrected Savior. Easter is powerful. It is the day that sets Jesus apart from anyone else in the history of the world. He defeated death on our behalf. When we die, our lives on earth will end but we will not cease to be alive and well — in Heaven.
Jesus rose from the dead and besides being amazing, what does it mean for us? Well, before Jesus was crucified he told the disciples some very important things, things to prepare them for his death, burial, and resurrection. In John 13-16 Jesus does a lot of talking. If you have a red letter Bible these pages are almost entirely red denoting the words of Jesus. In John 13, Jesus prepares the disciples for his betrayal and death. In John 14, He promises that the Holy Spirit will come and fill them after he is gone. John 15 — one of my favorite chapters — reminds us to love each other and stand for Jesus even in persecution. For our lesson this week we will focus on John 16, but I encourage you to read all four chapters.
In John 16, Jesus opens by explaining to the disciples why he is now giving them more information. It is so that they will stay encouraged and stay true to the faith. In verse 7, we find the “Now What?” Jesus says that after he is risen and ascends into Heaven, the Holy Spirit will come and live in us.
Does that mean we’ll speak in tongues and run around the church screaming? Maybe, but not always. But what it definitely means is that you will be guided “into all truth.” The Holy Spirit reminds us of what Jesus said and did and keeps us on track in our faith walk. When we “do good” it’s the Holy Spirit inside of us. When we feel bad about offending someone and need to apologize, that’s the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit we would only love ourselves and be incapable of otherwise.
You don’t “catch” the Holy Ghost. It’s not a virus that infects us and then goes away. When you come to Jesus — when you first start to think “hmmm maybe there’s something to this Jesus thing” — that can only happen by the Holy Spirit (or Ghost). John 6:44 says “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.” So, though speaking in tongues and healing people are the work of the Holy Spirit, so is the tear that falls when you hear that certain song on Sunday morning or the joy in your heart when you think about all that God has done for you.
Prayer, Bible Study, hanging out and talking with other Christians are ways the Holy Spirit can speak to you. The Holy Spirit can speak to you through movies and songs, maybe even an inspirational Instagram post. If you are still unsure of whether the Holy Spirit lives in you, then just ask God right now. “Father, in the name of Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit. Guide me in everything I do and say. Let my light shine for you. Amen.”
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“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33 NLT
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Pray before reading your bible. This allows God to guide you in your study. Simply ask God to help you better understand his word and live it.
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Ephesians 6:12 tells us that “we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” So, as much as we all agree that Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, Matt Lauer, James Franco, and the others are all 100% absolutely wrong and need to be held strictly accountable, we are reminded of who the real enemy is and what he does.Read more on the SHINE TYC Christian lifestyle blog. |
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Independent Study
Reading: John 16
- Why did Jesus say it was best for us that He go away? (v. 7)
- What does Jesus tell us the Holy Spirit will do for us? (v. 12-15)
- Read and reflect on verses 19-24. Think about how sad Christians must have been after Jesus was crucified. Then, think of how they felt three days later when his body was no longer in the tomb. How have you seen this sadness turned to joy in your own life?
- Verse 31 again shows us a little of Jesus' humanity. Think about a time when you were trying to convince someone of something important. How did you feel when they finally believed you?
- Read verse 33. Why do you think that people want their lives to be easy once they become Christian? Is that what Jesus said?
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