October 29, 2023 - Good News for the Helpless & the Oppressed (John 14-16)

On the night before Jesus’ death, he promises his disciples to send the Holy Spirit as “another advocate.” While the New Testament talks about the work of the Spirit in many ways, this title Jesus proclaims offers good news in two ways. First, Jesus says that throughout our life, the Spirit speaks to us on God’s behalf: the Spirit reminds us what is true despite our circumstances, and meets us in our moments of helplessness, and the injustices of this life. Second, the Spirit reminds us of our first advocate, Jesus, who speaks to God on our behalf, taking the punishment for the injustices we’ve done toward God: together, this “advocate” imagery reminds us of Jesus’ freedom/forgiveness, the greatest form of advocacy. Then, as an overflow of realizing how greatly Jesus advocated for us, the Spirit drives us to advocate for others, as they face helplessness and injustice.