Vintage Faith Community

John 14-16 records some of Jesus final words to his disciples before his death. After sharing a meal together and washing the feet of his disciples, Jesus begins to give the disciples instructions on how to be his people after he is gone. He instructs them to love one another radically and sacrificially, and to continue doing the works they’ve seen him doing. The disciples grow increasingly anxious. They are fearful of what it means for them if Jesus is no longer with them. How will they go on loving, serving, and doing his work? In the midst of their anxiety, Jesus speaks these words: “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you... I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper to be with you forever...” Jesus promises “another” will come, who will be Jesus, and yet not be Jesus. Later he says that he and his Father will come to make their home in those who love Jesus. All of this is the work of the Holy Spirit. After Jesus returns to his Father, he sends his Spirit (Acts 1-2).