It’s all about Jesus!
John 15:26- “When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father—he will testify about me.“
It has been said that Lutherans focus on Jesus and not so much on the Holy Spirit. The only time Lutherans focus on the Holy Spirit is on Pentecost but the rest of the year it is Jesus, Jesus, and more Jesus. Is there any truth to these statements? Guilty as charged!
But before we are locked up and the key is thrown away, there is a good reason why the focus must be on Jesus. This is the reason why the Holy Spirit was sent after Jesus ascended into Heaven. The night Jesus was betrayed, he told his disciples the scope of the Holy Spirit’s work. The Spirit of truth would focus our attention on Jesus. What better comfort can the Counselor give to us than the comfort Jesus won for us through his death and resurrection?!
The Spirit did not live under the law for us. Jesus did that! The Holy Spirit did not suffer and die for us. Jesus did that! The Holy Spirit did not rise from the dead for us. Jesus did that! Jesus perfect life, innocent death, and resurrection is the Counselor’s focus to comfort us with the certainly that our forgiveness and eternal life is an accomplished fact. Without the Holy Spirit’s work in focusing our hearts on Jesus, we would be lost to hell forever. We need the Holy Spirit to keep us going back to the truth of Jesus’ work so that we can find our greatest comfort and confidence in our Savior.
We may not speak about the Counselor as much as we do the Son, but the Holy Spirit would not have it any other way. He wants us to always focus our hearts and minds on the words and work of Jesus. Nothing gives the Counselor more pleasure than for us to remain focused on Jesus because in the end our salvation is all about Jesus!
Dear Holy Spirit! We thank you for focusing our attention on Jesus who did everything to gain for us forgiveness and eternal life. Keep us always focused on Jesus. Strengthen our faith with your true and unending word! In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.