Absolute Truth - October 14th, 2011

¹² “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. ¹³ However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

John 16:12-13

History and Context:

The book of John is the fourth Gospel and it is believed to be the last written. John was one of the inner three of Jesus' disciples and referred to himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved". John seemed to have written his Gospel for those who had already known the story of Jesus. He focuses on the meaning of the events rather than the events themselves. There is also a strong focus on the words and teachings of Jesus, specifically on Jesus' claims about Himself. These claims are best known as the seven "I am" statements. John probably wrote this Gospel in Ephesus somewhere around 70 AD.

The Text:

In this passage Jesus knows that His time has about come. It is about time for Him to go to the cross and to die, then not long after ascend to the Father. So Jesus is trying to prepare His disciples for what is about to happen. He tells them that He is going to leave but that another will come, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has many different names but in this passage He is called the 'Spirit of truth'. Jesus said that the Holy Spirit will come in order to lead us into all truth.

The Challenge:

Truth is relative... That's what the world is trying to tell us today. They try to tell us that there is not absolute truth, that everything is simply how we see it as individuals. I believe what I need to believe for me and that is fine as long as I don't try to convince you of what I believe. This thought is attempting to take away one of the most important characteristics and tasks of the Holy Spirit. If there is not truth than the Holy Spirit can not lead us into truth. But there is truth. There is absolute truth. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth and without Him no one can find truth. As much as people are trying to deny the existence of truth there is still a part of them that wants to find truth. They want to find the Holy Spirit. It is a yearning in them that has been there since birth. That is why they attempt to create their own absolute truth that there is no absolute truth. But what they are truly waiting for is someone like you or me, who believes strongly enough in the truth that it affects their actions and words. Someone who believes strongly enough in Truth that it permeates their entire life. Be that person!

The Prayer:

Lord, thank you for sending us the Spirit of Truth. Thank you Holy Spirit for guiding us into all truth. Help me to live as I believe it. Help me to let the truth permeate my entire life. Help me to show those around me what absolute truth is. In Jesus' name, Amen!