“I Still Have Many Things to Say to You”
- John 16:12-15
June 3, 2007
Dr. Michael C. Yarbrough

          In John Grisham’s novel, “The Rainmaker,” the main character is a young lawyer who represents a client in a difficult lawsuit.  His client was a young man who was dying.  In fact, there was a strong possibility that his client would be dead before the case would come to trial – and certainly before a verdict would ever be reached.  How could he be sure that the jury would hear his client’s story – and how could he convey to them a sense of the power of his client’s life?

          The lawyer videotaped the testimony of his client.  The client did, in fact, die before he could appear at the trial.  Personal witnesses and the video tape served to convey the life of the young man to the jury who had never met him, but were making a judgment about the value of his life.  The representation was an effective one.

          One of life’s tough questions is: “how do we impact the lives of others when our physical lives come to an end?”

          A number of years ago, I got home a little earlier than usual, and turned on Oprah.  I only saw a small portion of the end of her show, but what I saw was fascinating.  The guest was a woman who had breast cancer, and was the mother of a baby daughter.  Although the disease was in remission at the time, she was facing the possibility that she might not live to see her daughter grow up.  She would not have the opportunity to teach her daughter about the little things we take for granted about growing up, or to offer advice about life’s inevitable problems, or to allow her own values and guidance to help to shape her little girl’s character.

          The mother had a solution.  She was making videotapes – each to be viewed at her daughter’s appropriate age.  Made with careful forethought, they dealt with the situations of growing up, and offered personal insights about how she, the mother, had confronted and resolved the same things: the first day of school – getting along with kids on the playground – dating – peer pressure – homework – career choices – choosing a husband – raising children – and so on.  Each tape was made for a separate year in her daughter’s life – to be viewed at the time when it would be the most relevant and helpful to her.  The mother offered not only her own experiences, but also the wisdom passed down to her from her own mother and grandmother.

          What a powerful legacy to leave to one you love!  So – how, indeed, do we impact the lives of others when our physical lives come to an end?  How can any of us hope to shape the character of another – or instill wisdom – or pass on a heritage?

          The question is much like the one the first century Christians faced.  At the time of the writing of the gospels, Jesus, their teacher – their mentor – their servant – their lover – the source of the Church’s strength and courage – had departed from them.  It was important for them to remember.  Jesus did not sit down in front of a video camera – he did not pick up a microphone and record the words – he didn’t write any letters or books.  All he had done was speak.  People listened and remembered his words.  By the end of the first century of the new history of time, gospels were written so that others would read those words – and understand – and believe.

          But it wasn’t easy for the Church.  Jesus’ ministry had been a short one – maybe as few as three years.  His teachings sometimes seemed incomplete.  At the end of the first century, Jesus’ followers were already facing issues that had not been addressed by his words and parables.  Conflicts with the leaders of the Jewish synagogues and local Roman magistrates were hurtful and dangerous.  What did the future hold for a people who believed that Jesus was coming again in their lifetime – and then he didn’t?  What rudder was there to steer them into a new century – with a growing non-Jewish membership – and social and political conditions undergoing constant change?

          Our lectionary text comes from the collective memory of the Church.  When John’s gospel was written between 75 and 100 in the Common Era, Jesus had already been gone for between 45 and 70 years.  The Church was already acknowledging the dynamic presence of God’s Spirit moving and working and empowering it.  When these words, attributed to Jesus, were written, they had already been fulfilled.  The writer of John intended for the early Church to use them to teach others about the Holy Spirit, and point to Jesus as the source.

          Do you sometimes feel a distance from Jesus?  Does he sometimes seem to belong to another era – long past – out of touch – irrelevant to your life – your day and your time?  Guess what?  Some of the early Christians probably felt some of that distance, too!  John’s gospel is a voice of hope to his first century contemporaries, encouraging them to hang on – to stay to the course – remain faithful.  His words proclaim that, “Yes, – Jesus is gone – but the Holy Spirit is here!”  Jesus had promised to send the Spirit of God to the Church.  He did send it, and now we live with it.  The gospel further claims that this Holy Spirit is also the Spirit of Christ!

          John’s gospel says that the Spirit will come.  But by the time these words were actually written, the Church could acknowledge with joy that the Spirit has come!

          The witness of John’s gospel is that the Spirit will dwell in us.  But by the time these words were written, the Church already had the indwelling of that Spirit!

          The words of the gospel say that the Spirit will speak.  But by the time the words were written, the Church was filled with a new vision because the Spirit already has spoken!

          The witness of the gospel is that the Holy Spirit will glorify Jesus.  But, in truth, by the time it was written – the Spirit, through the witness of the first century Christians – was already glorifying Jesus!

          According to John’s words, the Holy Spirit would take what belongs to Jesus (his teaching and wisdom) and will declare it to the Church.  And, I say (once again) that, by the time this gospel was written – the Church recognized the Holy Spirit as Jesus’ Spirit – and as a Spirit of Spiritual Truth!

          Thanks be to God for this Spirit of Truth evident in the Church after Jesus’ departure from his physical life!  We have no “Jesus Letters” – no “Jesus books” – no “Jesus Tapes” – but we do have the Spirit of Jesus – and of God!  The Spirit is now our teacher.  The Spirit now nurtures us in our relationship with God.  The Spirit now leads us to live in God’s fullness.

          Throughout the Sundays of this summer, you’ll be hearing more about this Spirit.  I will be preaching a series of sermons entitled “Living in the Spirit.”  Jesus promised that the Spirit would be given to us.  God has done the giving.  And now, we, as the descendants – the children – of the first century Church, must learn what it means to live with the gift.

          This summer, I encourage you to pay attention to God’s gift, the Holy Spirit.  I invite you to listen to its words, and discover their meaning for your life.  And then, I challenge you to act on the truth that I know the Spirit is going to reveal!  I hope that you’ll be here in worship, this summer – because I think that it’ll be an exciting time in your growing relationship with God!  Jesus still has some things to say to you.  Will you listen?

          Let us pray.

          O God of Power and Truth.  Thank you for loving us and being a part of our lives.  Thank you for coming to us in the physical person of Jesus.  Thank you for living within us as your Holy Spirit.  In the weeks ahead, teach us so that we might come to be witnesses of your love and serve your human family with the power your Spirit can provide.  In Jesus’ name we pray it.

Amen.