May 19, 2026
While We Wait - Part 2
John 15:26-27
05/19/2026
26 But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you
from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds
from the Father, he will bear witness about me.
27 And you also will bear witness, because you have
been with me from the beginning. (ESV)
Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, told His disciples:
But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from
the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the
Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also
will bear witness, because you have been with me from
the beginning.
Certainly the disciples knew of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit
is mentioned in the first verses of Genesis, and is featured
prominently in Kind David's penitential Psalm. ``Cast me not
away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from
me.''[1] They knew that the Holy Spirit creates the faith which
trusts fully in God's grace, love, and mercy. After all, didn't
Jesus tell Nicodemus, ``That which is born of the flesh is flesh,
and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit''?
Jesus called the Spirit the ``Paraclete,'' a title which
often is translated as ``helper'' or ``advocate.'' The Paraclete
is somewhat like a defense attorney, speaking for the accused,
advising the accused, and teaching the accused.
During this week after the Ascension, we wait for the coming
of the Paraclete. While waiting, we prepare for our task of
witnessing the truth of God's love to this sin-sickened world.
Therefore the Church prays:
O King of glory, Lord of hosts, uplifted in triumph far
above all heavens, leave us not without consolation but
send us the Spirit of truth whom You promised from the
Father.
May our Lord grant us the comfort of knowing the Paraclete,
the Helper, comes to us for our eternal blessing. Amen.
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1. Psalm 51:11 (ESV)