15 Jun Sermon – Sunday, June 15, 2025
Usually when people use the expression, “That was then, this is now,” we brace ourselves to accept something we’d rather not entertain at all. Jesus has been talking to his disciples about leaving them, not being around and going where they cannot follow. Jesus, like the person who says, That was then, this is now,” thinks his words amount to a satisfactory explanation which is unarguably sound. After all, throughout all of history, can anyone refute that times change or that things can’t, won’t, or don’t stay the same?
So by saying, “That was then, this is now,” the person really means, “End of discussion; there’s no use thinking about alternatives or talking about this anymore.” It’s like getting that dreaded system update notice on your phone, computer, tablet or watch that tells you your current operating system will soon become out of date and cease to function. “Update now” or “Remind me later” are your only two options. In a similar way, Jesus says to his disciples, “As times change, you must adapt your ways of receiving info, of sending messages, of communicating with God and others.
The reality of the situation is this: It’s no use hoping that what once worked will continue or be an option for you in the future. The powers that be have determined that something new and different is needed. We are to believe that what’s been in the works and is now forthcoming is for our own good.
Circumstances have changed. The plan is much bigger than you imagine. There’s more at stake than your personal wishes. You can’t continue the way you do now even if you wanted to, or could afford it, even though you do want to and you can afford it, what once worked in the past or previously served your needs is no longer an option.
These are the circumstances under which Jesus’ disciples and many of us today exist: the time has come where big change is happening. Much of it seems out of our control. Even if it’s what we hoped for, it’ll still be stressful and life-changing. Unless a paradigm shift occurs, you’ll suffer.
As reality forces us to adapt or threatens to exclude us, we may feel in danger of being left behind or falling out of the milieu (mill-you) of life. We understand this because advances in technology have caused almost all of us to exchange tv antennas for satellite dishes or cable subscriptions, to trade in flip phones for something bigger, flatter, and more expensive, to pay more for the same items we purchased for less money just weeks ago.
But Jesus does not promote the Holy Spirit to further his own interests. He truly considers the needs of those who represent him and the kingdom of God at the core of his very being. What concerns them concerns him and these things preoccupy him. He thinks about the impact of everything he does. So if you need to trust someone completely, trust him. If you wonder whether anyone continues to act on behalf of those in dire need, know that Jesus does.
When Jesus says, “That was then, this is now,” he offers a plan of great value for not only you, but family and friends. His heavenly Father owns the most expansive communication network in the whole universe, not only just in these United States or the world. Unlimited data will come to Jesus’ disciples at the fastest speeds. There will be no place out of reception, no need for cell towers to receive calls, messages, or download items you wish to save.
There’s no need for Jesus to be with his disciples in person. Starting in verse 26 of chapter 15 Jesus tells them about sending a Helper from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, a phrase included in the Nicene Creed, which split the larger Christian church east from west. “The Spirit will bear witness about me,” Jesus says, “as will you because you have been with me from the beginning.”
In other words, this deal has been designed especially for Jesus’ existing customers, not only as a way of drawing in new ones or causing current subscribers concern. “There are multiple benefits to upgrading,” he says.
“Sure there are,” I say, “but will I be able to find the buttons I’m looking for, the photos I want to share, or those files I was working on once I update? Will I have to buy a new device? How much are the monthly service fees plus taxes? Does the new plan include insurance or is that extra? What do I do with my old device? I don’t want to pay electronically or with a tap of my phone. Where’s the menu? What do you mean, ‘Scan the QR code?’ Follow the bulletin online during church? Noooo.”
Jesus said, “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, [the one previously mentioned who proceeds from the Father], he will guide you into all truth.” In other words, “The Spirit of truth isn’t going to make up stuff. The Spirit won’t be winging it in my absence.” What Jesus says is meant to be encouragement. He says in John 16:1, “I have said all these things to keep you from falling away.” The Holy Spirit is a provision, one with the Father and Son given to us to make new things possible.
Think about the improvements having a mobile phone offers. While they may not fold into a pocket or purse as easily, isn’t it nice to take pictures on the spot and share them instantly, or to turn on a flashlight with the push of a button, to receive texts from family and friends, check email without being at home, enjoy extended battery life, or not get lost because you always have GPS? Undeniably, many updates and things we are forced to accept or adapt to, have their benefits.
On Trinity Sunday, wisdom cries; she calls by raising her voice to all that lives. She goes wherever people go, hoping they’ll notice what she has to say, listen and take heed. She was there at the beginning when the Spirit hovered over the face of the waters and also when the Spirit breathed life into the persons whom God created. Wisdom was God’s daily delight, rejoicing before him always, in his inhabited world, in the human race.
We are mere mortals, whose God is ever mindful of us. We are human beings cared for by a majestic glorious creator of heaven and earth. Consider the moon and stars set upon their courses, all domestic and wild beasts under our dominion, the birds of the air and fish of the sea.
God sets up a fortress against his enemies to silence the foe and the avenger, who at the time the psalm was written referred to a different set of folks who were working against God than those who might be working against him today, but the words still apply.
In Chapter 16, verses 4b-11, Jesus says, “I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, “Where are you going?” But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him (a masculine pronoun chosen by John in place of neutral or feminine pronouns usually used for the Holy Spirit) to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin, righteousness and judgment: concerning sin because they do not believe me, concerning righteousness because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer, concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.”
In other words, God has thought everything through. God is on top of things and has a plan for all that lives. Jesus understands that people get filled with sorrow over real or anticipated loss, that their capacity diminishes with grief.
“Nevertheless,” Jesus says. That means, despite anything to the contrary, peace comes through Christ through whom we also obtain grace. We, that is, everyone alive, is given access to what Jesus has said and done, to his holy word, although some in the world choose not to believe and therefore, are accused of sin by Jesus, according to John 15:22-24.
Everyone who ever lives even if they are never born is loved by God. They have God’s love poured into their hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given. That love is the foundation of our relationship to God and any strength or power we possess.
Therefore, when Paul explains how hope comes into existence, we ought to find additional encouragement. With Christ, who explained in John 15:18-21 that we would suffer on account of being chosen out of this world to belong to him, he described a world which at large does not recognize or choose to obey God.
By suffering, we will share in Christ’s glory, the glory of God the Father. No where and in no way, does this make sense of suffering. It only explains what suffering does, at least that which does not cause death outright. Suffering produces endurance; endurance produces character; character produces hope and hope does not disappoint. Why? Because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit given to us.
The Holy Spirit, the Helper, the Spirit of truth, will speak and declare directly to us whatever belongs to both God the Son and Father for the purpose of witnessing to them, for glorifying them, to further our understanding, our wisdom, and a share in knowing the Triune God firsthand. Let us pray.
Thank you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit for withholding nothing and providing for our every need, for helping all people adapt to challenges and grow through times of suffering. Spare those cannot cope or endure, but continue somehow, to build character in everyone. Produce hope that will not disappoint and hope in you that will not fail. In your holy name we pray, Amen.