In Luke 11:13, Jesus tells us that the Father will give us the Holy Spirit if we ask him. There in one sentence is the entire Trinity, relating with us, their creation. Sit with this long enough and it will blow your mind – and cause you to ponder deeply who it is we say God is, and what our relationship is with this God.
One of the things I love about the person of Jesus, as recorded for us by the Gospel writers, is that he brings this mystery down into our daily lives and helps us connect. He gives us tangible, practical ways to live out a life of meaning, joy, purpose, love, peace. In this passage he invites us to be bold in asking the Father for what we need. And more specifically, asking for the Holy Spirit who is, in the words of Jesus here, to be “given” to us.
I don’t pretend to understand all the mysteries of the work of the Holy Spirit of God but, simple as I am, I know what to do when a good gift is offered to me: receive it.
Let us ask, today, for the presence and person of the Holy Spirit. Let us receive the good gift into our lives. May the Spirit fill us and drive out every evil thing in us today, leaving only God’s goodness. And may that same Spirit bear good fruit in us – for God’s glory and the good of those around us.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Joel
