Sermon Seeds: Coming to You

Sunday, May 10, 2026
Sixth Sunday of Easter | Year A
(Liturgical Color: White)

Lectionary Citations
Acts 17:22-31 • Psalm 66:8-20 • 1 Peter 3:13-22 • John 14:15-21
https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/texts/?z=s&d=48&y=17134

Focus Scripture: John 14:15-21
Focus Theme: Coming to You
Series: That Message Spread (Click here for the series overview.)

Reflection
By Cheryl A. Lindsay

I have long enjoyed the experience of going to the movies. As a child, my father would take my sister and I as well as our friends to see the latest attractions. At the same time, the stories that he shared from his childhood centered around going to see the Saturday morning double feature as the highlight of his week. My father grew up in poverty following the death of his parents and being raised by his eldest sister. The pleasure and escape he found in watching film was evident and fueled a lifelong appreciation for cinema, which he nurtured in me.

Because the entire experience mattered to him, we always stayed through the credit roll until the lights came back on in the theater. In a similar fashion, we always arrived early enough to see all the trailers for the movies to be released in a few months. Those trailers were not about the present moment—they did not reference the film about to be shown. They pointed toward the not too distant future and would often be prefaced with the words, “Coming to a theater near you.” It was a signal to be aware, on the lookout, and anticipate the release. In the Farewell Discourses found in the gospel according to John, Jesus sets the stage for what will happen in the not too distant future for him and his disciples. More than saying goodbye, he offers a hint at what is to come and encourages them to look forward with expectation at what he promises.

In 14:1–14, the focus is on the disciples’ need to have faith in Jesus; in 14:15–24, the emphasis is on love (R. Brown 1970: 642). The entire section of 14:15–24 envisions the giving of the Spirit subsequent to Jesus’ exaltation, at which time Jesus and the Father will make their dwelling in believers through the Spirit. Jesus’ identification with the Spirit, the “other παράκλητος [advocate],” is so strong that he can say that he himself will return to his followers in the person of the Spirit (14:18). Though “yet a little while” in 14:19 and “on that day” in 14:20 at first blush may appear to refer to Jesus’ resurrection appearances, Jesus’ promise in 14:18 not to leave his disciples as orphans is hardly satisfied by his resurrection appearances, which were temporary in nature, and more likely refers to the permanent replacement of his presence with the Spirit. This is suggested also by Jesus’ response to Judas’s question in 14:23 with reference to his and the Father’s making their dwelling in believers as further explicating 14:18.
Andreas J. Köstenberger

This preparation comes in the form of assurance with an embedded caution underlying it. Jesus will not always be with them in the way that he has been. That is the farewell in advance of his actual departure. At the same time, he will continue to be with them. Jesus resolves this seeming contradiction between departure and presence with the promise of the Spirit who will both replace and represent him while also continuing their connection with Jesus as the Spirit holds the Triune presence. The One is Three; the Three are One. It is a framework for understanding what is beyond comprehension.

This text, among others, supports a Trinitarian theology while reminding us that it is an attempt to understand an infinitely relational God’s internal relationship as well as the distinct nature and character of the Persons of the Trinity. Jesus begins this portion of the discourse with the statement connecting love and obedience in relating to him and the promise of another Advocate who will be sent by the Source just as Jesus was sent.

The Spirit of Truth will not leave. As a result, Jesus will also always be with them in a different way of relating. The Source, the Christ, and the Spirit abide in one another; therefore, their connection with Jesus will be unbroken but transformed.

When Jesus leaves to prepare an eternal dwelling place, he will not leave his people alone; he will send the Spirit in his place (Jn 14:16-17, 25-26). The Spirit will remain with us until Jesus returns to consummate the present age (Jn 14:16). Until then, we can trust that the Spirit’s arrival fulfills the prophets’ eschatological expectations, of when God would empower his people to follow him in obedience (Ezek 36:25-27; Jer 31:31-34). It is no coincidence that the present section emphasizes the coming of the Spirit along with the call to “keep [Jesus’] commands” (Jn 14:15, 21, 23). The Spirit will remind Jesus’ followers about all the Messiah has said and done, enabling his people to “keep the commands” with which the old covenant community had such difficulty (Jn 14:26). One of the most important expressions of the Spirit indwelling God’s people is that he will enable us to love one another, as Jesus calls his disciples to do in John 13:34-35 and 15:10. This kind of obedience is evidence that we really do love Jesus and will dwell with him forever (Jn 14:15, 21).
Miguel Echevarria

Love and abiding are connected. Distance must be transformed into new ways of relating so that love may continue. The Spirit provides the key:

In the first half of this Gospel, John’s treatment of the Spirit has largely resembled that of the Synoptics. Like them, he included the Baptist’s reference to Jesus as the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit (1:32–33; cf. Mark 1:8 pars.) and emphasized that the Spirit in all his fullness rested on Jesus during his earthly ministry (1:32; 3:34; cf. Luke 4:18). Moreover, John stressed the Spirit’s role in regeneration (3:5, 6, 8; cf. 1:12–13), worship (4:23–24), and the giving of life (6:63). But as in John’s presentation of Jesus’ followers, his adoption of a post exaltation vantage point leads to a vastly enhanced portrayal in the farewell discourse, where the Spirit is featured primarily as the παράκλητος (paraklētos, helper, advocate [14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7]) and as “the Spirit of truth” (14:17; 15:26; 16:13), two closely related terms (see 15:26). First, Jesus calls the Spirit “another παράκλητος.”[70] This indicates that the Spirit’s presence with the disciples will replace Jesus’ encouraging and strengthening presence with them while on earth (cf. 14:17).[71] When the Spirit comes to dwell in believers, it is as if Jesus himself takes up residence in them. Thus, Jesus is able to refer to the coming of the Spirit by saying, “I will come to you” (14:18). This relieves a primary concern for Jesus’ first followers in the original setting of the farewell discourse: Jesus’ departure will not leave them as orphans (14:18); just as God was present with them through Jesus, so he will continue to be present with them through his Spirit. The Spirit’s role thus ensures the continuity between Jesus’ pre- and post glorification ministry. What is more, the coming of the Spirit will actually constitute an advance in God’s operations with and through the disciples (16:7; cf. 14:12).
Andreas J. Köstenberger

Therefore, Jesus departure should be treated as good news. It will open new doors and possibilities. The disciples will be empowered to continue the ministry for which they have been prepared. The gospel will be amplified. And, they will experience Jesus, and the Triune God, more fully for the glory of God.

Reflection from Voices of People of African Descent
The 33rd General Synod adopted a Resolution to Recognize the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024). As part of its implementation, Sermon and Weekly Seeds offers Reflection from Voices of People of African Descent related to the season or overall theme for additional consideration in sermon preparation and for individual and congregational study.
“The struggle is inner: Chicano, indio, American Indian, mojado, mexicano, immigrant Latino, Anglo in power, working class Anglo, Black, Asian–our psyches resemble the bordertowns and are populated by the same people. The struggle has always been inner, and is played out in outer terrains. Awareness of our situation must come before inner changes, which in turn come before changes in society. Nothing happens in the “real” world unless it first happens in the images in our heads.”
― Gloria Anzaldua

For Further Reflection
“As we abide in the Vine we begin to take on the vine’s attributes, and it will become more natural for us to see things through God’s eyes.” ― Ibrahim E. Sakkab
“To know God`s laws and abide by them is a privilege.” ― Sunday Adelaja
“Abiding does not mean sitting idly by. It means resting in the work, resting in the moment, resting in the truth, resting in the confidence that God is your provision.” ― Robin Bertram

Works Cited
Echevarria, Miguel. “The Gospel of John.” Esau McCaulley, Ed et all. The New Testament in Color: A Multiethnic Bible Commentary. Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2024.
Köstenberger, Andreas J. John (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament). Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2004.

Suggested Congregational Response to the Reflection
During the Season of Easter, commit to spreading the good news of God’s liberating, redeeming, and reconciling love through consistent communication. Consider the tangible ways your faith community has been positioned to demonstrate the power of new life.

Worship Ways Liturgical Resources
https://www.ucc.org/worship-way/easter-6a-may-10/

The Rev. Dr. Cheryl A. Lindsay, Minister for Worship and Theology (lindsayc@ucc.org), also serves a local church pastor, public theologian, and worship scholar-practitioner with a particular interest in the proclamation of the word in gathered communities. You’re invited to share your reflections on this text in the comments on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SermonSeeds.

A Bible study version of this reflection is at Weekly Seeds.