John 16:12-15 (NRSV)
Read John 16:12-15 on biblegateway.com
Verse 12"I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. Verse 13When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. Verse 14He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. Verse 15All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
Devotion
My fifth grade class built a city out of Legos and TinkerToys. One of the requirements was to make sure it had working electricity – street lights, power in the homes and businesses. We learned there was a lot of power in those 9-volt batteries we had to work with. But unless the wires were properly connected, the light bulbs couldn’t access it and the city stayed dark.
In this text we read that Jesus is plugged into God’s power. The Holy Spirit is the conduit that gives us access to that power by making Christ known to us. So what can we do with it? Feed a hungry child. Listen with compassion. Pray for someone in need. Write a letter to Congress. Forgive a wrong. Share what we have. Tell someone else how much God means to us. Love without limits.
In John 14 Jesus says, “Whatever you ask in my name I will do.” He also said, “Let your light shine, that others may see your good works and give glory to your father in heaven” (Matt. 5). Put those things together, and it sounds like an invitation to get connected to the power source. What can you do to light up the world today?
Prayer
Lord, plug me in to your Spirit and use me to light your world today. Amen.