Scripture: John 14:15-31 (ESV)
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is 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 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. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me. These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.”
Jesus knows his time with the disciples is running out, and he wants to reassure them. They’re about to face a world without him physically by their side, and he understands how scary that must seem. He’s talked about going away, about preparing a place for them, and now as he leaves, he promises that they won’t ever be left alone. Not really. Because the Holy Spirit, the helper, will be with them forever.
As I mentioned yesterday, I imagine that the disciples would have been confused and worried because Jesus told them he was leaving them. Here again Jesus reassures them: “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” It is incredible to think that this promise Jesus gives his disciples remains as true for us today. The Holy Spirit, his Spirit, dwells inside each and every believer. We are never alone.
Notice what else the Holy Spirit does. He isn’t just there for comfort. The Holy Spirit has an active teaching and reminding role in the life of a believer. Have you ever experienced this? I have. Whenever someone asks you a question about faith, and you remember a bible verse, or remember a parable Jesus taught that speaks to that situation, then you are actually receiving the ministry of the Holy Spirit to you. The disciples would have needed this, because they would soon face all kinds of challenges and trails, from opposition to persecution to death. And yet the Spirit was there all along to guide them by bringing to mind Jesus’ words.
Now this leaves us with an important practical implication. This means that we need to be in Jesus’ word, actively studying the scriptures. If there is nothing in your mind to bring to remembrance, then I don’t think its going to be very likely that the Holy Spirit will bring it to mind! Now of course, God may choose to act miraculously and override our biblical ignorance and illiteracy. But it seems to me that the normal way in which this works is through regular ongoing Bible study. That “enables” the regular work of the Spirit in our lives and in our troubles.
And that may be why, on average, those who know God well because they have studied his word well, find it so much easier to trust God in difficult times.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, thank you for being my helper, my comfort, and my guide. Teach me to listen to your voice as you remind me of Jesus’ words when I need them. Amen.
Spiritual Challenge:
Today, take a few moments to invite the Holy Spirit into whatever you’re facing. Ask for his guidance, and comfort, and then listen to what he has to say.
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