Thursday 20 August 2026

Psalm 106:1-12

Background
In today’s short passage from John’s Gospel, we find Jesus continuing to prepare his disciples for his departure. Having predicted Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denial, he spoke words of comfort, that though he would leave them, they would follow him to his ‘Father’s house’. They clearly struggled with the whole idea, with Thomas asking to know the way and Phillip asking to see the Father, both missing the point that Jesus was the Father in human form, revealing God’s reign of truth and life.

Jesus here promised them support after he had gone, with an ‘Advocate’. The Greek word parakletos signifies someone who steps into your corner at a time of need. The word was often used in a legal sense of the advocate who would speak up for the defendant.  I love the thought of someone who comes alongside me when I’m struggling and have had experience of people speaking for me at key moments, when my own voice could not be heard or was misrepresented. Jesus described this Advocate as 'a Spirit of truth', and in the examples in my mind, I believed my advocates were indeed speaking the truth.

However, it’s debatable whether legal advocates (or attorneys) speak the truth. Although I’ve been called up to jury service twice, I’ve never been on a jury. The first time, many years ago clergy were not allowed to be on a jury; the second time, after sitting around for a couple of days, I was dismissed. The defendants in a couple of cases that might have come up, had decided to change their plea to ‘guilty’.

Perhaps some of you reading this have been on a jury. I imagine it is often difficult to discern where the truth lies. The attorneys are not necessarily interested in truth but more in either convincing the jury that the defendant is guilty, or that he or she is innocent.

Let us remember that Jesus spoke of sending ‘another Advocate’, in other words someone like him, who would act in the same way as Jesus. The Spirit of truth is thus a spirit that cuts through situations to a deeper truth, as Jesus did when faced with a mob about to condemn a woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11), or when he challenged a woman who had desperately touched the edge of his cloak. (Luke 8:43-48)

To Ponder:

• Has someone ‘come into your corner’ at a time of need, or have you been able to be there for someone else in that way?
• Conversations often go deeper when people sit alongside one another rather than when they are face to face. Perhaps the idea of someone ‘coming alongside’ is significant, an opportunity to go deeper than seeing Jesus in front of them?

Prayer
God of truth, with the Roman governor Pontius Pilate we may wonder sometimes "What is truth?" Or we may struggle to discern the truth within contesting perspectives. Remind us in those moments that Jesus revealed the truth within your reign, a truth beyond argument. Amen.

Bible notes author: The Revd Pamela Cram
Pamela worked in several circuits and ecumenical posts in Wales before retiring in the Swansea Valley, where she is involved in a non-denominational community project; a church partnership with a Welsh independent church; and action for Fairtrade.