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The Spirit Of Truth
‘And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ That’s the last thing Jesus said during what we now call the Great Commission (Matthew 28:20). I wonder what the disciples made of that promise. Perhaps they thought He was going to stick around.
Not long after this commissioning, Jesus headed to Heaven to be seated at God’s right hand (Acts 1:9–11, 1 Peter 3:22). So, erm, what was all that about – ‘I am with you always, even to the end of the age’? Perhaps ‘the age’ was ended by Jesus’ return to be with God. A new age certainly dawned at that point. But there’s also something Jesus shared earlier that reveals how He would always remain with those who followed and served Him.
On the night before He was betrayed, at His last supper with the disciples, Jesus said, ‘I will ask the Father and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever – the Spirit of truth’. This Spirit of truth is the Holy Spirit, the very Spirit of God and Jesus.
I’m sure the disciples only later would have pieced together everything Jesus promised and how it would be fulfilled in breakthroughs like the Holy Spirit’s arrival (see Acts 2). Importantly, Jesus’ dwelling within His first disciples through the Spirit was not the extent of it.
If you or I love Jesus and keep His commands, the Spirit of truth is given to us, too. Awesome.
Written by BEN MCEACHEN
About this Plan
Part 7 of the Back to Basics Series. The Great Commission is one of the guiding principles of our faith as Christians. This plan dives into the Great Commission as we seek to understand how we collectively and as individuals are to be shaped and guided by this mission to see the kingdom of God expand, the Gospel be proclaimed and the church grow.
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