Well, there seems to be a lot of
groaning going around, huh? The creation is groaning because it’s been
subjected to frustration, and we as believers are groaning because we’re
awaiting the redemption of our bodies. Both “groaners” are subject to decay,
awaiting a Better Day. But here in today’s passage we see another Person who’s
groaning: The Holy Spirit.
He’s not groaning because he’s
complaining, at least not really. What’s this passage talking about?
Hopefully you’re already aware of
the fact that Jesus is our Advocate
before the Father. As the author of Hebrews asserted again and again and again (in
fact, one of the main points of the book), he’s our Great High Priest, the One
who stands between us and the Father, sort of like a Defense Attorney. He
pleads our case before the Father, and he reveals the Father to us and mediates
blessings down to us.
But according to this passage, we
have another Intercessor, the Spirit who lives inside of us. Now, this is a
great mystery, especially since this is the only passage (of which I’m aware) that
speaks about this aspect of the Spirit’s work in our lives.
Another reason this is mysterious is
because Paul doesn’t exactly elaborate on what the Spirit’s doing. What are
these “wordless groans,” and how does the Spirit intercede for us? What does he
do that Jesus isn’t doing already?
There are two explanations which
I’ve heard. The first interpretation, which we tend to hear from those of a
Pentecostal/Charismatic persuasion, is that this is in the sense of “words that
cannot be expressed in human language.” They believe that this to be some sort
of “Spirit” language, that it’s a reference to speaking in tongues. We don’t
know what to pray, so the Spirit within us takes over our mouths and speaks a “prayer
language” to the Father on our behalf.
Now, I don’t buy their explanation,
but it could be interpreted that way,
and my disagreement certainly isn’t over a theological essential like the
Resurrection. The second interpretation, which sounds better to me, is that
they’re groanings which are completely
wordless, not just unable to be expressed in human language.
Why do I lean towards the second
instead of the first? Why do I think they’re completely wordless? Because of
verse 27 and 1 Cor. 2:11 and the point that those verses are making.
Verse 27 says that he who searches
our hearts and minds (God, probably referring to the Father) also knows the
mind of the Spirit. And the second part of the verse says that the Spirit
intercedes for us “in accordance with the will of God,” “God” again probably referring
to the Father.
1
Cor. 2:11 says “For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit
within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit
of God.” I can’t read your mind, and you can’t read mine (thank goodness!). But
the Spirit knows the thoughts of God (the Father).
You see, the Father and the Spirit
are in complete unity with each other. They don’t speak to each other because
they don’t need to speak with each other. They’re in complete sync with
each other. Just like the Father and Son are “one” (one in purpose, one in
nature, one in essence), the Spirit and the other Persons of the Trinity are
“one” as well.
So how does this affect us?
Remember, I’m a practical theologian because the Bible is a practical book,
even when it’s delving into a grand mystery like this. It doesn’t tell us anything about God without a purpose
behind the telling, without a way that it should affect us in our daily lives.
How should this truth affect us?
Well, one way I see it affecting me is that I shouldn’t worry so much about
how I pray. Yes, you should be as theologically correct as possible: It
doesn’t do to think thoughts about God which aren’t worthy of him. But I
shouldn’t worry so much about finding the exact right words to say to the
Father. Eloquence is not so important to him. Sincerity is, of course. But even
the most sincere among us still have lingering sin and distractions and
selfishness and baser motives. Or I might even be sincere yet praying sincerely
for the wrong thing. That’s why the Spirit “helps us in our weakness.” I can
take comfort in the fact that the Spirit takes my far-less-than-perfect prayers
and brings them to the Throne and makes them exactly what the Father
wants to hear. How can he do this? Because he—so to speak—is reading the mind
of the Father and knows what the Father wanted to hear in the first place.
Again, the point is not to worry so
much about the words, nor even about your sincerity. The point is to pray.
Today’s passage assumes that we’re
praying. Just go to him and open your heart to him. And rest assured that you
have the Spirit in your corner, making the imperfect perfect in the Father’s
ear.
Holy Spirit of God, I certainly need
you. If Paul could talk about his
“weakness” before the Father, how much more me! But in my weakness, you take my
fumbling prayers and make them beautiful in the Father’s ear. Thank you so
much.
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