Thursday, May 17, 2007
Ascension Day
John 16:25 "These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father."
THE SPIRIT OF UNDERSTANDING
Here again Jesus brings the context and true meaning of His promise into sharp focus. For here He speaks directly about the best and most important thing they and we will receive in that day: understanding, the understanding of the mysteries of faith!
The disciples kept asking Him and wondering about the things that He said to them. "What does He mean?" they said among themselves. And so the Lord tells them to ask and they will receive understanding, so that then He will finally be able to speak to them in plain words and not with the aid of pictures and similes. This promise is fulfilled through the Holy Spirit, who gives us understanding to comprehend the things which Jesus himself tells us through the scriptures.
There are many rebellious men who refuse to accept this obvious intent of Christ's promise. They think that they know better. For Christ tells us we will be able to understand, for He will give us this understanding. He tell us this not only here but in many other places. In chapter 10 of John, Jesus assures us "My sheep know my voice" and also "They will not follow another." And earlier in this same chapter, the Spirit will "guide you into all truth." These are just some of the many places where we find this promise. So then what man has the right to say, "No, we can not know for sure what this means or what that means. But we should let each interpret in his own way."? Such a statement shows what worms we are and how slow we are to believe the promise of Christ. Furthermore it makes a liar out of Christ, who says "Ask and you will receive." Therefore let him who doubts lay hold of this promise, pray, and doubt no longer, but approach the Word in faith, knowing that Christ opens it up to all who ask.
