(Fourth Sunday after Easter – John 16:5–14)

The first disciples of the New Testament had the privilege of being with Jesus. Similar to how God walked with Adam and Eve in the garden, He accompanied His disciples through the various landscapes of the ancient Middle East. Jesus was their source of comfort and strength, healing the sick, cleansing lepers, calming storms, feeding multitudes, and casting out demons, all while empowering His apostles to do the same. When they faced challenges in their faith, particularly in casting out demons, He intervened on their behalf.

Most importantly, He forgave sins and welcomed everyone into His kingdom. Even though young children brought to Him by their parents were not baptized at that time, His blessing included them in His kingdom. Likewise, when the thief on the cross asked Jesus to remember him, he wasn't baptized either, but Jesus assured him of paradise that very day.

However, in today's Gospel, Christ tells His disciples that their time together is coming to an end: “... I am going to Him who sent Me ...” His physical departure would come through His death. After His resurrection, He appeared to His disciples, even in a locked room, with St. Thomas affirming this truth. Over the forty days after His resurrection, Paul notes that Christ appeared to Peter, James, the other apostles, and more than 500 brothers at once. At His ascension, He was taken up into a cloud, marking the last time they would see Him on earth. With His departure, how would He continue to provide comfort and strength to His disciples, welcome humanity into His kingdom, and extend forgiveness for sins?

Our Lord answers this concern: “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.” Although He would leave, He wouldn’t abandon them. He promised to send the Holy Spirit, or Comforter, known as the paraclete in Greek, who would continue Jesus's mission. The Holy Spirit offers comfort and strength, opens the kingdom, and facilitates the forgiveness of sins through chosen individuals, ensuring Christ’s ministry endures.

The Spirit guides all people toward the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ, leading them away from self-reliance. He enlightens believers with gifts like Baptism, Absolution, and the Lord’s Supper. While Jesus was physically among His disciples, He now remains with them through the Spirit’s gifts. Blessed are those who see and receive Christ through these means!

The Spirit works through the Word and Sacraments. But how does He do this? The Lord explains: “... [The Holy Spirit] will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer ...” When it speaks of “they,” it’s easy to think of non-Christians, but aren’t we also part of that world? Aren’t we guilty of sin as well?

St. James reminds us in today's Epistle that we should be quick to listen and slow to react, as human anger does not achieve the righteousness God desires. This “anger of man” can manifest as holding grudges or refusing to forgive, leading us to unjustly condemn others. Yet, it is only the Holy Spirit who should convict the world of sin, while we often doubt the Word's power to inspire repentance.

Instead, we take justice into our own hands by nurturing resentment, positioning ourselves as judges rather than trusting in Christ. Our disbelief in Him and His Word roots all sin. How long will we cling to pride and refuse to trust in our merciful God and show love for our neighbor?

“The anger of man does not produce the righteousness that God requires.” The Holy Spirit will also convict the world concerning righteousness, as Christ ascends to the Father and will no longer be seen. He ascends in perfect righteousness, flawless and holy—attributes none of us can match. He came to us from the Father, lived righteously, and sacrificed His life. Without the Holy Spirit, we cannot share in Christ's righteousness. Jesus promised that through the Spirit, His righteousness becomes ours: “... He will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore, I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”

At your baptism, you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. In Holy Absolution, you died to sin, and a new person emerged. In the Lord's Supper, you proclaim His death until He comes again, bestowing eternal life. The Head and the Body cannot be separated; if Christ died, you died with Him. If He rose, you also rise with Him. If He ascended, you ascend too. When we think of righteousness, we must remember we are united with Christ just as the Body is with the Head. Our hope in Christ’s resurrection will come to fruition in our own, for through the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we are one with Him. Amen.

May the Peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.