Thank you to John for this week’s MWB
Mid-week Bridge 20 May 2026
This is the last in the series of three about Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Today’s title is “The Work of the Holy Spirit”.
What on earth is God the Holy Spirit doing?
The Old Testament reveals that he has been at work from the creation of the world (Genesis 1:2). He gives life and sustains it. He gives people gifts such as craftsmanship and prophecy and leadership. He instructs and admonishes his chosen people. And the Old Testament foretells a time when God will “pour out his Spirit” on all his people, young and old, female and male. (We celebrate that particularly at Pentecost.)
What did Jesus say about the work of the Holy Spirit?
Much, according to John’s gospel, especially in chapters 14-16. Last week we focused on Jesus’ promise to his disciples that the Holy Spirit would come and indwell them, bringing the presence of the triune God (John 14).
If possible, please now read John 16:5-15.
“It is for your good that I am going away” says Jesus to his disciples. That sounds absurd. But Jesus then explains, “Unless I go away, the Counsellor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you” (v7). And then Jesus tells them two aspects of the work of the Holy Spirit.
a) The Holy Spirit and the World (vv8-11)
“When he comes, he will convict the world about sin, and righteousness, and judgment” (v8). As in much of John’s gospel, “the world” means human society that is opposed to God and his word, that hates and rejects the Lord Jesus Christ, and that therefore hates and persecutes his followers (John 15:18-25).
So the world is in a terrible state. BUT ”God so loved the world that he gave his only Son…” (John 3:16). And Jesus speaks here of God the Holy Spirit convicting (convincing) the world of the reality of sin and righteousness and judgment. We may speak and preachers may preach about these matters. But only the Holy Spirit can convince people of the truth about themselves and their desperate situation.
b) The Holy Spirit and the Church (vv12-15)
“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.”
N.B. to whom was Jesus speaking? It was the 11 disciples (12 minus Judas), who had just shared the Last Supper with him. They were entrusted with “the truth” – the gospel focused on Jesus who is the truth (John 14:6). They would be the prime witnesses to Jesus: the Spirit of truth would guide them, revealing the glory of the Father and the Son (John 15:26-27). They, the apostles, would be sent into the world with this message.
And we have received their testimony. It is found in Scripture, in the New Testament. In our creeds we say that we believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.
If we, the church, faithfully hold to and live by and proclaim the apostles’ message in the Bible, the Spirit of truth will guide and empower us.
May it be so.