Every Christian seeking to deepen his relationship with Jesus is no stranger to the Third person of the Trinity – the Holy Spirit. If we truly longing for Jesus then the need for the Holy Spirit all the more. It was Jesus who introduced the Third Person of the Trinity. The fact that the Promised Helper has been introduced by the Promised Messiah only means that the Holy Spirit has a definite role to play in the salvation of mankind.
Now, this whole aspect of the Holy Spirit being introduced by Jesus was in a way foretold by David in the Old Testament. In a Psalm that is familiar to most of us, he writes… The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in fields of green grass and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water. (Psalms 23:1-2). In verse 1, David describes his relationship with the Lord. As the relationship deepens, he is led to the next stage – the quiet pools of fresh water symbolic to the life in the Spirit. Later on, in the New Testament, Jesus would call Himself the Good Shepherd. (John 10:11). And in another place, He would say… “Whoever is thirsty should come to me, and whoever believes in me should drink. As the scripture says, ‘Streams of life-giving water will pour out from his side.’ “(John 7:37-38). This means that the Holy Spirit is definite to live inside a believer of Christ and manifest Himself.
Further, we must be aware that deep within our souls, there is this dying thirst for God’s love. It is a thirst that can be quenched only by means of the Spirit. That is what St. Paul meant when he wrote… God has poured out His love into our hearts by means of the Holy Spirit, who is God’s gift to us. (Romans 5:5). Again, Jesus spoke about this thirst to the Samaritan woman. He said, “Those who drink the water that I will give them will never be thirsty again…” (John 4:14). And then He went on further… The time is coming and is already here, when by the power of God’s Spirit people will worship the Father as He really is, offering Him the true worship that He wants. (John 4:23). Jesus meant to say that the Spirit ultimately leads us into true worship, where we enjoy an intimate relationship with the Father. The Spirit makes you God’s children, and by the Spirit’s power we cry out to God, “Father! my Father!” (Romans 8:15).
Therefore, the presence of both the Promised Messiah and the Promised Helper in our lives results in a deeper intimacy with God. It was like that even at the time of creation. Adam enjoyed a close relationship with God. But the reason behind that closeness is hinted indirectly in the story of creation… In the middle of the garden stood the tree that gives life and the tree that gives knowledge of what is good and what is bad. (Genesis 2:9). Of course, the tree of life here points to Jesus. And immediately in the next verse we read… A stream flowed in Eden and watered the garden… (Genesis 2:10). The stream here points to the Holy Spirit. If Adam had to go to the tree of life, definitely, he would be led to the stream. Things would have been so different. But he chose the other tree. He never made it to the stream.
Going to the tree of life simply means listening to God’s Word and choosing to obey it. God sees the desire in our hearts to obey His and that is what compels Him to give us His Spirit… The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to those who obey Him.” (Acts 5:32). Jesus Himself said, “If you love me, you will obey my commandments. I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper… (John 14:15-16). We must bear in mind that the teachings of Jesus come from the Father. Ignoring the Word of God is ignoring the Father. Jesus said, “Those who do not love me do not obey my teaching. And the teaching you have heard is not mine, but comes from the Father, who sent me. (John 14:24).
Therefore, the reason why most Christians are not led by the Spirit is simply because they do not come first to the tree of life – they do not feel the need to listen to the Word of God. Others do come to the tree of life but they do not taste its fruit. They do not go deeper into the Word. They have the interest, the curiosity and the time to explore everything else in this world. They even get deeply involved in religious activities. But then, they don’t have the same attitude towards the Word of God. And the Father who is the giver of the gift of the Holy Spirit knows it. Jesus said, “Those who reject me and do not accept my message have one who will judge them… (John 12:48).
In conclusion, as we prepare ourselves for the great feast of the Pentecost, let us change our disposition towards the Word of God. Let us be serious about listening to it, reading it and going deeper with the intention of obeying it. Then we will be led by Jesus to the stream of live-giving water. There we will find ourselves drinking from the Father’s love.
Main Page