John 14:15-21 (NIVUK)
15 ‘If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you for ever – 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me any more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realise that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.’
The resurrection opens the way for Jesus to ascend to his Father. In this he is not abandoning his followers, but is enabling the Spirit to be sent to all disciples, all of the time, wherever they are. We are never alone, God is always with us. We are not orphans, we are members of his family.
Spirit, you are welcome. Help me to be a good host, attentive and responsive to you.
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