Third Sunday after Epiphany (GA)

John 16:4b-15
“I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 5 But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 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 go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Jn 16:4-15). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Jesus must leave and send the Holy Spirit to continue the ministry to God's people. But the Spirit is not going to bring a new message nor is he going to change the message. Jesus does not change the message. Jesus come from the Father to reveal the truth to the world. This truth sets people free. When he leaves or departs or returns to heaven, he does not leave the disciples on their own. He sends them a helper who will continue to Guide the people of God.

The Holy Spirit brings the truth to people. He is a witness to what he has seen and heard just like humans are witnesses. But the Holy Spirit knows or has seen a lot more than any human (maybe with the exception of Jesus). He bears witness to the truth and speaks through those whom he sends. "He will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak." We do not speak from our own hearts but from the power of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who speaks faith into our hearts. It is the Holy Spirit who gives us the right or proper words.

Therefore, we should continue to pray for the Holy Spirit to come into our midst. Not because he is not already here through the Word of God, but so that he may continue to strengthen us in the true faith and give us the words to speak when called upon.

Jesus came to Galilee speaking the word of truth to people. He shined his light before people so they could see and hear the truth. So we who Jesus reminds, "All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that [the Holy Spirit] will take what is mine and declare it to you." The Holy Spirit continues to point us to the city on the hill that can not be hidden and the Light that should not be put under a bush. It is the truth of our Salvation through Jesus Christ.

Note: The gifts of the Holy Spirit are given to call people to faith, because this is the work of the Holy Spirit. If we deny this work to the Holy Spirit, we deny the Holy Spirit himself.