HOLY SPIRIT: THE PRECIOUS GIFT IN US

John 14:1-5: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

In the above verses, there appears like contradictions. Let us address them:

1. Why believe in God, and also in Jesus? Aren't they part of the same Godhead?

The Old Testament is the working of God the Father, the Gospels are the working of Jesus, and the Epistles are the working of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus tells his disciples that they already know God the Father through the Torah. But he asks them to also believe in Jesus, the Son, because all that was written in the Scriptures was about him—the one who was sent. The disciples were expecting Jesus to give them worldly prosperity, but Jesus was on a different path. So, Jesus asks his disciples to believe in him even though they would see him take a path that was different from what they were expecting.

Though everything about Jesus—from his birth to his death on the cross—was written as a prophecy in the Old Testament, yet the people did not believe in him.

John 7:5 - For even his own brothers did not believe in him. 

John 1:33 - And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’

John the Baptist was able to see and reveal Jesus because of the Holy Spirit.

Many times the true gospel comes to us, but we are not able to recognize it. Are you able to recognize what is from God and what is from the world? You will be able to recognize what is darkness and what is false only when you are walking in the light and the truth.

2. If there are already dwelling places in the Father's house, what is Jesus going to prepare?

Jewish weddings had the following ceremony: A betrothal was not an engagement. It was the actual wedding, but not the final ceremony. The groom and bride get married, but don't live together yet. The groom comes to the girl's house and gives gifts (Mohar) to her, and she is now his bride. But the groom goes back to his father's house without her and prepares a place for the couple. The bride also prepares herself with the gifts given to her. The groom comes back with a procession and takes the bride back to his house. When Jesus told his disciples about his going and preparing a place for them, they understood exactly what he was speaking about.

Imagine yourself as the bride, and Jesus as the groom. Jesus paid the price with his life—the gift (Mohar). As a seal, the Holy Spirit—a ring—was given to you.

Eph 1:13 - When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit

The sign that we are married to Jesus Christ is a desire for godly living. You are restless when you are not in prayer for a few days; there is conviction and repentance for sin. Examine your life to see if you have this quality in you.

There are houses in the Father's house, but there was no way to them till Jesus Christ came and died for our sins. Jesus Christ left so that this way is made available for us—he is the way.

We see that in the Old Testament, the Spirit of God came upon people. But we now have the Holy Spirit in us. The Holy Spirit ON US is for service, the strength that comes upon us for the work of God. When the Holy Spirit is IN US, it is the seal of sonship, the seal of a bride. It changes our nature.

The greatest gift given to us on the day of betrothal with Jesus is the Holy Spirit. How close is he to us? He is inside of us. How far do you have to go to get your answers? Which mountain do you have to climb to find help? Which pilgrimage do we have to take? None. Because, he is closer than the very breath we take. He is our Comforter, advocate, intercessor, and counsellor.

John 14:16 - And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever...

3. Do not let your hearts be troubled. 

Aren't our hearts troubled many times? Jesus knows that these troubles will come to us.

God has provided everything we need to live a godly life according to his will. The spark is already inside of us. But oil is needed for the flame to grow. The oil comes only when you are connected to him. Then his word becomes a lamp to our feet. We can see in every direction and know how to make the right decision. Like Job, let us praise God in every situation. Yes, our spirit is sealed in the Holy Spirit, but even our soul needs to be filled, which happens by having communication with the Holy Spirit.

When in trouble, first call on the Holy Spirit for help and guidance—before you call on anyone else. The Holy Spirit is able to strengthen us in every way—physically, mentally, emotionally, in relationships, and in provisions. The Spirit that has been given to us gives strength to our mortal bodies.

If you sit at the table of the world, you receive emptiness; if you sit at the table of Jesus, you will receive strength. Choose your table daily. The length of time you spend there to receive the water of the Holy Spirit will nourish your growth.

You have God inside of you. You are the Ark of the Covenant today, carriers of God in the world.