Annie
Scriptures:
John 14-17
At midnight on Christmas Eve 1967, as we gathered with our friends outside the church, Mike placed the ring we had chosen on my finger, declaring to all that we were engaged to be married. This ring isn’t the traditional sparkly diamond, but rubies and opals, unique and beautiful, and caused some surprisingly critical comments. I was shocked by the comments, but I didn’t care. This was the ring that we had chosen together and I loved it, and still do. It was the gift of promise from my bridegroom, the promise that we would be married, live life together, until God parts us.
The tradition of a betrothal gift in Jewish culture represents a promise, a pledge for all to see that the groom will return for his bride, once he has prepared a place for them to live. So, when Jesus began speaking to his disciples about going to prepare a place for them, and that He would return and take them for Himself, they should have clearly seen the parallels He was drawing. They should have remembered the parables Jesus had spoken about the marriage feast, the maidens waiting with their lamps trimmed for the return of the groom. The images should have been clear to them. But their hearts didn’t want to believe that He was leaving, that His time with them on Earth was drawing to a close.
Everything that had been foretold concerning the long awaited Messiah had been, and would be, fulfilled in the life of the man who was walking with them along the road to Gethsemane. Yet He was telling them that He was leaving them, and it felt as if their world would fall apart without Him. But, in tenderness and immeasurable patience He introduced them to the origins of the betrothal gifts that they were so familiar with.
Holy Spirit was His pledge that they would never be alone, that the God of all creation would be dwelling with and in them wherever they walked and for however long their journey on the Earth would be. And not only that, He would come to them in such power, in a way they could never imagine in their wildest dreams. He would come as their Helper, their Counsellor, their Comforter, their Guide. Through His Power, Holy Spirit would give them the words to say, lead them to the places He knew they needed to be, be their inspiration in whatever situation they would find themselves.
But, Holy Spirit could not come to dwell in them unless Jesus the Christ returned to His Father, to prepare the place for all those who would follow the narrow path to the foot of the cross, lay down their lives and surrender to the God who is One in Three and Three in One.
This promised Holy Spirit would be their seal of authenticity, the evidence of their right to the Kingdom of Heaven, the constant, ever present seal upon their lives that declared to all that their Bridegroom would be returning. One glorious day the sky will split asunder, the Glory of the Lord will be revealed for all to see, Jesus, the King of kings will return with the whole host of Heaven. Not one eye will miss this, every knee on Heaven and Earth will fall at the feet of the Risen Lamb, will bow down before this victorious King.
Until that day comes, we are sealed with the promise of Holy Spirit and all that living in His wonderful life entails. We live in the victorious Life bought for us by our Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ, by the power of Holy Spirit, enveloped in the limitless Love of our Abba Father.
Prayer: Father God, in awe and reverence, with hearts full to overflowing, we give You thanks for Your Life, Your Love and Your Triune Being. Amen.
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