Helper
The eleven disciples of Jesus were fully awake; even Peter was emerging from his stupor.
They had all learned not to try and correct Jesus. It was better to hold their questions and just keep listening. He had just told them they would do greater works in their lives than Jesus Himself had done. To a man, each of them felt as far away from such a life as it is possible to stand. They knew they were helpless before such a calling. They would need assistance to be such men in this world.
The Paraclete
Jesus knew this. He smiled and delivered the best news they could ever imagine. The key to it all was this: love the Lord and live a life of obedience!
“If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever…”
They would do greater works through the ministry of the Holy Spirit abiding within them. The Greek word used is paracletos, or paraclete, meaning:
“first Advocate, a defender, helper, strengthener, as well as comforter.”
(Smith’s Bible Dictionary)
Far from being helpless, the followers of Jesus—beginning with those eleven common men—would be mightily–divinely–assisted. The creative power of God the Holy Spirit would inhabit them with an abiding presence to empower them to live holy lives and do works of service both great and small.
They would cross another line. In the Old Covenant, the Holy Spirit came on God’s servants for specific tasks. Under the New Covenant in His Blood, the Holy Spirit would abide in their hearts, a constant anointing of power and peace.
The Spirit of Truth
The Helper would also be the Spirit of truth. He would arm them with truth as a mighty sword. He would enable them to be true, to live truly, and to tell the truth to the world. The heart of that truth would the presence of Jesus. Though He was soon to leave the world, He would still inhabit the world, living in the praises of His people and reigning on a throne of their worship and service.
”I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.”
Jesus went on to give details about how they would know the Father when they knew Him better through the ministry of the Spirit. He promised that with Him, the Father Himself, would abide in their hearts.
“If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him,
and We will come to him and make Our home with him.”
Jesus described a world that had never existed before—at least not since Adam and Eve walked with God in a garden untouched by sin. This would be their world and it would be the Good News they would bring to the nations.
Soon they would witness terrible events far beyond their greatest fears. It would look very much like the end. They must remember all the words spoken that night, especially this promise.
“Because I live, you will live also.”
The room was silent as Peter, who, seated by himself off to one side, had recovered the shock of Jesus’ prediction and was listening carefully, knowing how much he needed a Helper.
Scriptures:
John 14:15-24
“If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever — the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?” Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, we are helpless in this world without the indwelling of Your Spirit. He is our enabler. He is or illumination. He abides in our hearts because Your Holy blood has sanctified us for Your service, qualifying us to host Your Holy Spirit. I dare not go into this day in my own strength. I dare not try to understand the confusion of this world without Your Spirit’s illumination. With the Spirit of Truth, I can detect the lies. With the anointing of Your Spirit I can prevail over evil. In the power of the paraclete, I can prevail in this day. For Your glory, Lord! Amen.
Song:
Spirit of the Living God
Words and Music: Daniel Iverson
Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me.
Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me.
Melt me. Mold me. Fill me. Use me.
Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me.
Semper Reformanda!
Stephen Phifer
© 2018 Stephen R. Phifer All Rights Reserved
