The EMW Summer Call to Prayer
THE HOLY SPIRIT REVEALS CHRIST TO HIS PEOPLE
It is to the Spirit we need to look for help and wisdom to see what is important and vital at this time. The answer may surprise us as He reveals Christ to us.
God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 1:28-31
In John 14-16, our Lord prepares his disciples for his departure, by means of the cross, to heaven. He tells them that it is to their advantage that he goes away, because then the Helper will come to them.
It is by means of his Spirit that Christ comes to us – he will not leave us as orphans. The Holy Spirit supplies the place of Christ. But also, the Holy Spirit bears witness to Christ, like a floodlight illuminating a beautiful building, the Holy Spirit reveals Christ to his people – he focusses our eyes on him.
God’s purpose is, “that all should honour the Son, just as they honour the Father” (John 5:23). And when the Holy Spirit takes the things of Christ, and declares them to us, this is what happens in our lives. Sometimes he shows us new things, opening our minds to understand truths from his Word that we had never seen before. Sometimes he shows us truths about Christ we have long known and loved, but they come to us with new clarity and transforming power.
The person and work of our Lord is the sum and substance of the gospel, “Jesus Christ and him crucified.” He is also the true manna come down from heaven that feeds our souls. Without Christ, we have nothing, and when our sight of Christ is dim, our souls become dry and lifeless. But in Christ there is an abundance, “For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell,” (Colossians 1:19), “And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace” (John 1:16).
Whatever our need we find it in Christ, “who became for us wisdom from God – and righteousness and sanctification and redemption”.
Pray that the Lord will send his Spirit to reveal more of Christ to us.
Mark Thomas, EMW General Secretary