Coming of the Advocate

Today's Reflections 

      

 

Coming of the Advocate 

 

Jn 16:5-11

[Jesus said to his disciples,] ⁵“Now I am going to the one who sent me, and not one of you asks me,  ‘Where are you going?’ ⁶But because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts. ⁷But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. ⁸And when he comes he will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation: ⁹sin, because they do not believe in me; ¹⁰righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; ¹¹condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.”

He will convict the world. The Spirit truly becomes the Paraclete or defense attorney of Christ’s disciples. They are emboldened to face their accusers in court even as the world that prefers darkness to light will not stop to point accusing fingers at them. The Spirit will continue to witness to Jesus through the lives of his disciples, especially their fidelity to love in the midst of persecution. The world is going to be just as blind to their witness as it was towards Jesus. However, for anyone with eyes to see, the Spirit will show how wrong the world is on three counts:

About sin. Sin is a refusal to believe in the Word. Sinners are those who will not allow the Word to penetrate their minds and hearts and so refuse the communion of love being offered by the Son.

About righteousness (justice). The world has a wrong concept of God and God’s righteousness. For this reason they ask for Barabbas’ release and Jesus’ death.

About judgment. The accusers and enemies of Jesus condemn Jesus to death though he is without sin. But the resurrection serves as the vindication of Jesus’ innocence and the lasting proof that he is risen and truly alive.

“Do you not know that you are the temple of God,

and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?”

(1 Cor 3:16).