Adoption into the Spirit – Romans 8:22-27

A text – Romans 8:22-27

8:22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now;
8:23 and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
8:24 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen?
8:25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
8:26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.
8:27 And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

A reflection:

This week’s lessons feature the third person of the Holy Trinity, the Holy Spirit. Paul describes this person of the Trinity in the most beloved terms. Now that we have experienced the first fruits of the Spirit, he says, now we want more – the full manifestation of being eternally redeemed. We long for it, but the Spirit itself helps us to wait for it with patience. And as we wait and try to pray, the Spirit helps us even in praying: it intercedes for us with sighs that God understands and has sympathy for.

What does it mean to be children of the Spirit? To have a spiritual life, a place and time and portion of life in which we live in and listen to the Holy Spirit? What does that look and feel like? It would be great to hear and share stories of times we have experienced that Holy Spirit leading us, even speaking with us or sighing on our behalf. When we are weak, the Spirit helps us, Paul says.

Paul describes our eventual death as a moment of adoption, when our very bodies are redeemed. Imagine the gladness we will feel to be adopted into God’s life. And if we imagine that time with joy, imagine how hard it is to patiently wait for it. Paul knew the overwhelming nature of an encounter with the risen Christ. So he knew he was chosen to be part of the Body of Christ, destined to bring the Gospel message to the wider and waiting world. He knew he was going to experience this “adoption” into the life of God at his death. He couldn’t wait. May we all live in such hope and die in that eager anticipation of crossing over into eternal life as a child of a loving God.

A prayer:

Lord God, Thank you for loving us. Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to the disciples, to Paul, and to us. Thank you for adopting us into your life. When we are afraid or weary, help us to remember that you wait for us, that the Spirit intercedes for us, and that we can trust you to bring about newness of life for all of us.     Amen.