“I have much more to say to you, but you can’t handle it now. However, when the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you in all truth. He won’t speak on his own, but will say whatever he hears and will proclaim to you what is to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and proclaim it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine. That’s why I said that the Spirit takes what is mine and will proclaim it to you. Soon you won’t be able to see me; soon after that, you will see me.” – John 16:12-16

Maybe it’s the constant tooth pain, but I can’t get away from thinking about how Jesus faced those last few days of his life and how carefully he chose his words during that last meal together.

“There is only so much you can handle right now,” the Master says, “but the Spirit of Truth will guide you...”

Then Jesus, always the Great Teacher, does a masterful job of explaining some of how the Trinity works. “The Spirit will teach you… the Spirit speaks on behalf of the GodHead… Everything that comes from the Father is already mine… The Spirit takes what is mine (and also the Father’s) and teaches you… Me, the Father, the Spirit – we’re all on the same page.”

So we may not be able to handle everything. But God tag-teams to help: Father, Son, Holy Spirit – all working as one, because they are One.

Jesus doesn’t just throw truth at us and then leave us to dig out from under the weight of it. The Father pours truth and love and compassion into Jesus; Jesus came and worked closely with a small group of followers; the Spirit takes it all and teaches us still.

The Psalmist said is well: “Grant me a willing spirit.”

Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Psalm 51:11-12

Here is this week’s video blog. I hope it speaks to you – DEREK