A Different Tour

Holograms used to be a science fiction theme, but now they are being used to project celebrities. There are a variety of ways to make a virtual artist “appear” to take a stage. One method involves projecting from a tilted mirror onto a thin screen. A variety of technology has been used to simulate the performances of musicians who have died, with the idea that eventually these musician replicas could even go on tour.

When the living, resurrected Christ returned to heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to continue His mission on earth. This action brought the presence of Jesus to us in a way that goes beyond any hologram. On a basic level, the Holy Spirit would do many of the things that Christ did while on earth. For example, the Holy Spirit has been spreading the teachings of Jesus as He predicted: “He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you” (John 16:14).

In addition to furthering Christ’s work, the Holy Spirit also plays a special role in the new birth conversion of every Christian. Christ relied on the Spirit for this role when He was on earth witnessing to people: “Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God’ ” (John 3:5).

Beyond the initial conversion, the Holy Spirit is also the essential source of character growth, for we are “strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man” (Ephesians 3:16). Like a father raising his children, the Holy Spirit brings the parenting presence of Jesus into your life. This is what Christ meant when speaking of sending the Holy Spirit: “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:18). As a result of this growth, believers can cooperate directly with the Spirit—not an artificial hologram—to continue spreading the teachings of Christ.

Apply It:

Practice giving good advice to someone younger than yourself who is interested in growing.

Dig Deeper:

1 Corinthians 12:3; 1 Peter 1:2; James 4:5, 6

Key Bible Texts

For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, (Philippians 1:19 KJV)