The week-end of the Passion of Christ had begun, Judas had gone to betray Jesus, and the Last Supper was just concluding. At this point Jesus began His farewell discourse. His comments in our text were made while Jesus and the disciples were at the table in the upper room.
The disciples were apprehensive. They had been with Jesus for three years. Now, He was about to leave them. The events of this weekend would test them all. Jesus was concerned that they be encouraged, comforted, and empowered to live through it victoriously.
One, the Father gives Another Helper to the disciples and to us.
As I John 2:1 indicates, Jesus is a Helper or Advocate (Paraclete). The term Helper is used four times in John (14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7) concerning the Holy Spirit. In John 14:16 the Holy Spirit is another Helper. He is Another Helper of the same kind, not of a different kind. The Holy Spirit represents Jesus.
The Father gives the Helper to us. When we believe in Christ, we receive the Helper. He comes to live and dwell in us. He will do everything for us that Jesus did for the disciples while He was with them. And there will be special times of the Spirit’s presence in our lives. Let us believe in Christ and receive the Helper!
Two, the Helper will be with you forever.
Jesus draws a contrast between His going away after a brief ministry on earth and the abiding presence of the Spirit. The Spirit will remain with the disciples. Does this mean that Christ will be absent? His physical presence will be absent, but He will be present.
The Triune God always will be with the believer. In John 14:20-23 Jesus says, “‘In that day you shall know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. . . .If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and make Our abode with him.'” We can sense the presence of God in our daily walk. His powerful presence enables us to walk according to His will.
Three, the Helper is the Spirit of Truth who communicates truth.
Jesus has just said (verse 16) that the Father would give “another Helper.” Now, we learn that the Helper is the Spirit of truth. The term Helper is broader than Spirit of Truth, but Spirit of Truth points to a very important aspect of the Helper’s ministry. The Spirit of Truth is the one who communicates truth.
All of life is a search for truth. So often people look in the wrong places. In Christ we find the truth. He is the truth and He teaches the truth. Moreover, the Spirit of Truth enlightens our hearts with the truth. We must read the Word and hear the voice of the Spirit.
Four, because Jesus lives, you will live.
Jesus says “I will come to you.” When does He come? Various answers are given, but surely Jesus includes His post-resurrection appearances to the disciples. He refers
especially to Easter evening when He imparted the Spirit (John 20:19-23) to them. The fact that Jesus appears among the disciples proves that He is alive.
Because Jesus lives, we live. Through Christ and the Spirit, we are made spiritually alive. Christ is (I Corinthians 15:45) “a life-giving spirit.” Moreover, the Spirit gives us the life of Jesus. Through the work of the Spirit (John 3:5-8), we are newly born. The Spirit (John 6:63) quickens us and makes us alive. The gift of life cost God everything, but it is free to us!
Conclusion
Believe in Christ! Receive the Spirit! Be confident in the Scriptures! You will have abundant new life in Christ. God will give you Another Helper who will strengthen and sustain you throughout your life. Seize the moment and rejoice in God’s gift of life.
Copyright © George M. Flattery