BELOVED BRANCH,

I’ve been encouraging you to think of us, the gathered faithful as the branch, Jesus the vine and God the vinedresser from the last “I Am” statement of John 15. So where does the Holy Spirit fit in? We dwell on the interconnected intimacy of Jesus as we welcome the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is all about helping us to recognize Jesus. Helping us to see the mercy we receive through Jesus. Jesus ascends so that he can come closer to us through the Holy Spirit. The incarnate and risen Jesus leaves the spatial limitations to dwell with us across the dimensions of time and space. When Jesus tells his disciples in John 16:7, “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.”

It’s an interesting paradox. Jesus leaves, ascends so that he can be made known to us across the ages. The Holy Spirit comes across multiple bodies, multiple geographies, multiple contexts and that is something to celebrate. A beautiful gift. Wherever we see the Holy Spirit work, we see Jesus Christ and God’s work in the world and we get to be a part of what God is tending in our world.

Enjoy your time abiding with Jesus.

Bold Inquisitive Belief Loving Expansively,

Pastor Connie Spitzack