April 13

Read: John 14:25-27; 16:7

Behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high (Luke 24:49).

I Send The Promise

God has provided the blessing of entire sanctification to meet our deep human need. It was on the eve of the Crucifixion that the Holy Spirit was promised. The disciples were lonely, frightened men. They thought they were about to lose their Lord and that nothing could make up to them for that loss. It was in answer to such a pressing need that Jesus made the promise, “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid… It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”

It was in the last hours before Jesus was separated from the disciples on the mount of ascension that He instructed them what to do in order to have this blessing. “Tarry ye,” was not a command to unwilling followers; it was a welcome word of instruction to eager Christian disciples. So it should be today.

Though we have known Christ and walked with Him, is there at this holy season of the year still a deep sense of spiritual need? Does God seem far away and unavailable? Do we yearn for a greater realization of His presence? It was to meet this need that the Holy Spirit was promised. May God’s gracious provision fall like manna for the need of our hungering souls.

Oh, that I now the rest might know, Believe and enter in! Now, Saviour, now the power bestow, And let me cease from sin.

— Wesley’s Hymns