John 16:4b-11, The Work of the Holy Spirit

16:4b “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.”

The greatest resource Jesus gives us for mission is the Spirit, whom he calls “the Helper.” This should remind us of Adam needing a helper in the Garden of Eden because he was alone. Jesus knows his disciples will feel very alone when he goes away, but when they are filled and empowered with the Spirit at Pentecost, everything will change. The once bumbling Peter will become a bold preacher who helps convert 3000 people that day.

When Jesus says he is “going to him who sent me,” he is not speaking of a physical change of address but is referring to his death, resurrection, and ascension. As John Milne writes, “It is this going away which will make the ministry of the Spirit possible, and, in default of this going away, the Spirit’s ministry is rendered impossible. The ministry of the Spirit is accordingly not a vague impartation of spiritual energy, but the specific ministry of proclaiming, and applying to the disciple community, the triumphant procession of Jesus through death and resurrection to the right hand of the Father. The ministry of the Spirit is the unleashing of the powers of the promised kingdom of God in the world.”

When John the baptizer and Jesus proclaimed the arrival of the kingdom of God, they coupled it with the need for repentance. The Spirit will do the same as he evangelizes the hearts of unbelievers in regard to sin, righteousness, and judgment. He exposes people’s guilt in regard to sin. We are much worse than we realize; we don’t even realize how sinful we are without the aid of the Spirit! He exposes people’s guilt in regard to righteousness. Those who crucified Jesus thought it was an act of righteousness, but as Peter proclaimed on Pentecost, “‘You . . . put him to death . . . But God raised him from the dead and God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.’ And they were cut to the heart.” And he exposes people’s guilt in regard to judgment. While the Jews believed Jesus was being judged on the cross, the Spirit testifies that it was Satan, the ruler of this world, who was judged. The Spirit brings the message of the grace of God, because we are all guilty in regard to sin, righteousness, and judgment. Yet Jesus has taken away our guilt in regard to all three.

Lord Jesus, help me to be thankful today for your amazing grace. Fill me with your Spirit that I may partner with him in bringing this good news to all people who come into my life. Amen.