Tuesday 12 May 2026

Psalm 45

Background
Today’s passage continues Jesus’ farewell discourse in John’s Gospel, spoken on the night before his arrest and crucifixion. The disciples have followed Jesus throughout his public ministry but are now confronted with the difficult reality that he is about to leave them. Earlier in this conversation Peter had asked, “Lord, where are you going?” (13:36), and Thomas had protested that they did not know the way (14:5). Here, Jesus speaks more directly about his departure and the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus makes the striking claim that it is actually to the disciples’ 'advantage' that he goes away (v. 7). This seems strange to us and must have seemed extraordinary to those disciples who had left everything to follow him. Yet Jesus explains that only through his departure will the 'Advocate' come to them (v. 7). As elsewhere in John's Gospel, the original Greek word parakletos is difficult to translate fully and may mean helper, comforter, counsellor or advocate. Jesus assures his listeners that the Holy Spirit will continue his work among them after his death, resurrection and ascension.

Part of that work involves revealing uncomfortable truths. Jesus states that the Spirit will “prove the world wrong” (v. 8). The exact meaning of these verses has long been debated, but they seem to point to the Spirit exposing humanity’s failure truly to recognise God’s work in Christ, an issue with which John’s Gospel deals repeatedly.

The passage then turns to guidance and revelation. The 'Spirit of truth' will guide the disciples 'into all the truth' (v. 13). This does not mean entirely new teaching, but a deeper understanding of who Jesus is and what his life, death and resurrection mean. Just as the disciples often failed to understand Jesus during his earthly ministry, so the full significance of these events only becomes clear afterwards through the work of the Holy Spirit.

To Ponder:

• Why might Jesus say that it was 'better' for the disciples that he should go away?
• What do you think Jesus mean when he said that the Advocate would guide the disciples into 'all the truth'? 
• Why do people sometimes resist uncomfortable truths about themselves or the world?

Prayer
Holy God, whose Spirit leads your people into all truth, give us courage to face those things we would rather avoid, wisdom to discern your will, and grace to follow where you lead, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Bible notes author: The Revd Geoffrey Farrar
The Revd Geoffrey Farrar is the Superintendent Minister of the Richmond & Hounslow Circuit in south-west London. He has pastoral charge of Barnes, Putney and Roehampton churches. He is currently studying for a (very) part-time PhD at the nearby University of Roehampton, looking at the impact of the Maccabean Revolt on responses to Jesus. He lives in Putney with his partner and their adopted son.