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8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” 9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.(John 14:8-9, 25-27 NIV)
On the day I was ordained a Deacon, the first step towards full ordination into The United Methodist Church back in the day, my family and I drove home to Houston. I sat on one of our couches and my little sister sat across from me and was just staring. I laughed and asked why. She said, "Well now, you're ordained and I'm wondering what change has come over you and how you're different that you're a minister." I laughed again and asked, "Should I get up and hit you?" Then she laughed and said something to the effect that I had not really changed. I do admit that as I sat down I was praying and thinking about how my life would be different and what would come next. I still have my remaining years of seminary, an internship, and the continuation of ordination requirements for full ordination. One thing I knew; God was with me and God would guide and bless me.
This passage is kinda about the unknown and the yet-to-come. The disciples were on-board with Jesus and knew their lives were still to change in ways they did not expect, but the questions still flowed; Philip asks to see the Father, and that would make him content. Jesus asks him that after being with Him all this time they still didn't understand? "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father;?" What Jesus revealed He could only while He was with them and speaks of the coming of "The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
This Sunday is when we celebrate Pentecost which is often seen as the birthday of the Church—a dramatic arrival of wind, flame, and the Holy Spirit. Yet here in John’s Gospel, we are experiencing an encounter a more personal and intimate moment: Jesus is comforting His disciples before His departure.and speaks not of spectacle, but of promise—of the Holy Spirit, whom He calls 'the Advocate:
Jesus knows the disciples are anxious, confused, maybe even afraid. He knows what’s coming. And yet, He assures them (and us) that we will not be left alone. The Spirit will come not only to empower us, but to teach us, to guide us, to remind us of who Jesus is and what He taught.
Imagine a friend walking beside you every step of the journey, whispering encouragement, truth, and peace when you forget. That is who the Spirit is. Not a vague idea, but God's very presence, active within and around us.
And the gift that comes with this Advocate? Peace. Not the fragile kind we see in the world, but Jesus’ peace— steady, holy, soul-deep. It doesn’t erase trouble, but it anchors us in the middle of it.
PRAYER: Holy Spirit, thank You for coming into our lives as Jesus promised. Be our Advocate, our Teacher, our Comforter. Remind us of the words of Christ and fill us with the peace that passes understanding. On this Pentecost Sunday, breathe new life into us. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Today, let the Spirit remind you that you are not alone. Walk in the peace Jesus gives. Listen for the Advocate’s voice. Speak boldly, love deeply, and live Spirit-led.
I love you and I thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
