WATCHWORD:
25 “I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. 26 But when the Father sends the Comforter instead of me—and by the Comforter I mean the Holy Spirit—he will teach you much, as well as remind you of everything I myself have told you. John 14:25-26
Meditation:
The Helper/Holy Spirit
In various versions of the Bible, the Holy Spirit is referred to by multiple names or titles. The Message calls Him “The Friend”. King James refers to “the Comforter”. The New Living Translation calls the Holy Spirit “The Advocate.” Regardless of the name used, the work of the Holy Spirit is consistent throughout the Bible: The Holy Spirit will remind you of everything Jesus has taught, and will instruct you about everything you need.
The Moody Bible Commentary describes the Holy Spirit in personal terms, saying that He teaches, guides, comforts and intercedes, and that He possesses emotions, intellect and will. That is a big order and hard for us to grasp. Think of the magnitude of this Gift! A pundit might say that it sounds like we have God’s brain and soul dwelling within us. A theologian would simply say, Yes, we do!
Pastor Robert Morris, in his book, The God I Never Knew, lists the work of the Holy Spirit in similar terms: First, He dwells within us. His roles are many, including to guide into all truth, to pray for us, to be our helper as needed, to comfort us in difficult times, and to show us things to come.
One important role is that the Holy Spirit helps to bring into remembrance all things that Jesus said and did during those years with us. This is one reason that the Gospels are so detailed and in such agreement about the words and actions of Jesus. The Holy Spirit helped the disciples remember everything Jesus said and did.
Not only that, but we have God’s promise that the Holy Spirit will never leave us. It staggers the imagination! It’s a big package, but before we personalize this, consider how this landed that day on the disciples. The death of Jesus was days away, and while Jesus alluded to “coming back”, the whole concept of the Resurrection was beyond them. That reality won’t hit them for several days, on a hillside near Capernaum.
Aspects of the Holy Spirit by Robert Morris:
The Holy Spirit isn’t weird!
Prayer:
I may not always understand Your will, Father, but I ask for help to submit to it. Teach me to trust Your good and faithful character in the teachings of Your Holy Spirit. Give me a submissive heart. Amen.
