+ Living for Christ: In The Light Of The Blessings Of The Holy Spirit +

How much is a good babysitter worth?  For parents, babysitters can be invaluable.  A sitter gives the parents the freedom to take care of other important needs and concerns.  Mom and Dad can leave the house confident that the children will be safe.  They will be guided and watched, loved and comforted in their parents’ absence.  Sometimes, with a particularly good babysitter, the children will be excited to have the parents leave.  This is a picture of Jesus, the Holy Spirit and believers.  Jesus has not left His children alone, but has sent the Holy Spirit to watch over us.

Jesus spoke to His disciples concerning this shortly before His betrayal and crucifixion.  He said, “However, when He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” (John 16:13 NKJ).  In His words of warning and comfort to His disciples, Jesus spoke to them of how He must leave them.  Knowing pending His departure filled His their with sorrow, Jesus wanted to comfort them.  He assured them that He was not going to leave them alone to fend for themselves. On the contrary, He would send the Holy Spirit to guide them in all truth.

The disciples had spent nearly three years with Jesus, but they still didn’t get it.  They didn’t fully grasp the truth concern why He came to earth and must suffer and die on the cross.  We might wonder, “How could they still not get it?”  They needed a richer measure of the Holy Spirit and Jesus’ provided it at Pentecost.  It is the Spirit that guides us in all truth.  That is one of the blessings that that only He gives.

At times, our faith is tested and we have doubts.  We can be weak in our understanding just like the disciples.  In those times, we wish we could hear Jesus’ voice, physically be with Him and share our concerns with Him.   We might think, “If only I were with Jesus, my faith would be stronger.”  The same Spirit that Jesus promised would strengthen and comfort His disciples, the same Spirit that they received at Pentecost, is the Spirit that entered your heart at your baptisms. The Holy Spirit is not a temporary babysitter that will watch us for just a few hours.  He has been sent to see us safely into heaven through faith in Jesus. The Spirit watches over you.  He will bless you and guide in all truth. You are not alone.

We are not alone.  The Holy Spirit is not a temporary babysitter that will watch us for just a few hours.  He has been sent to see us safely into heaven through faith in Jesus.  He will guide into all truth.  You are not alone.