John 14:8-17 (NRSV)
Read John 14:8-17 on biblegateway.com
Verse 8Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." Verse 9Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Verse 10Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Verse 11Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves.
Verse 12Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. Verse 13I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Verse 14If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.
Verse 15"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. Verse 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. Verse 17This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.
Devotion
Advocacy is an important concept in our world today. We need to assist in giving voice to so many voiceless people. We can certainly intercede in prayer for people, but they also need to see our prayers in action. We intercede when we work together for the good of the whole, a rather novel idea today. We intercede when we hear the Holy Spirit's call through the good news of Jesus, when we gather in worship to hear the word and when the Spirit enlightens us with ever new insights into what it means to live in community. It is the Holy Spirit who empowers us to love God with all our heart, mind and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. It is the Spirit's abiding presence that is with us in all we do.
Prayer
God, help us to love all people, to break down barriers, to be advocates for healing in a hurting world. Your presence with us is our guarantee. Abide with us in all that we do. Amen.