Sermon: Jubilate (Easter 5) - 2020

10 May 2020

Text: John 16:5-15

In the name of + Jesus.  Amen.

Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!

Jesus is preparing the disciples for His ascension into heaven.  They will then have to lead the Church under our Lord’s remote authority.  He will remain with them in Word and Sacrament, but they will be the ones in charge, having been delegated authority by our Lord Himself.

But Jesus tells them that the Helper, the Holy Spirit who will come to them, will guide them.  

And so we see Jesus, the Son, going to the Father, and the Father and the Son sending the Spirit.  And this, dear friends, is the name into which we are baptized.  The Holy Spirit seals us with the blood of Christ, calls us by the Gospel, enlightens us with His gifts, and sanctifies and keeps us in the one true faith.

Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as the “Spirit of truth,” who guides us “into all the truth” because He speaks with authority delegated from the Father and the Son.

But to the world, the Spirit is not a Helper, because He convicts the world, as our Lord says, concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment.  Sin, because of their unbelief; righteousness, because Jesus has left the world; and judgment because Satan is judged, having been judged by Christ at the cross.

The Spirit speaks through the Scriptures, dear friends.  The Spirit enlightens us to understand and take the Scriptures to heart.  But the world hates, mocks, and distorts the Word of God.  To the world, the Holy Spirit is not a Helper at all.

But to you, dear brothers and sisters, the Holy Spirit “calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies you,” bringing you here, to the Church, to Jesus, to the Word and Sacraments.  The Holy Spirit kindles your faith. 

The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus.  He “will take what is [His] and declare it to you.”  As the Lord says, “all that the Father has is mine.”  And all that is the Son’s is yours, dear friends.  That means His righteousness, His life, His communion with the Father, His kingdom.  All these are yours, and remain yours for eternity! 

No matter what struggles we all have in this mortal life and this fallen world, whatever unique challenges we face in this generation, the Holy Spirit remains with the Church, glorifying Christ and doing the will of the Father, even to the end of the age.  This is the work of the Helper, the Spirit of Truth.  

Shine in our hearts, O Spirit, precious light;

Teach us Jesus Christ to know aright

That we may abide in the Lord who bought us,

Till to our true home He has brought us. Lord, have mercy. 

Amen.

Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!

In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.