Thank you to John for this week’s MWB
We continue the series of three about Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
Today’s title is “Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit”.
In John’s gospel we find the record of an extended conversation between Jesus and his eleven disciples, following the Last Supper he had with them. This conversation is sometimes called the “Final Discourse”, and is found in John chapters 14-16. Here, Jesus teaches the disciples much about himself and the Father, and particularly about the Holy Spirit. He uses simple words, but the teaching is immensely deep.
If possible, please read John 14:15-24.
Going…going…going…? Coming!
Jesus has just told his disciples several times that he is soon going to leave them. “I will be with you only a little longer….Where I am going, you cannot come.” (13:33; see also 14:2-4, 12). He has been physically present with them for about 3 years. They have seen him, heard him, touched him, smelt him. Now that must stop. The disciples are perplexed and distressed about this: what will they do without Jesus?
BUT NOW Jesus makes a wonderful promise to them: “If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor to be with you for ever – the Spirit of truth.” (vv15-17). (The word translated “Counsellor” can also mean Comforter, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby.)
Another Counsellor? Yes, because Jesus himself has been the disciples’ Counsellor while with them. Now he is going. But he tells them “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (v18). The Spirit’s coming will be his own coming. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus.
And then Jesus makes the most breathtaking promise to his disciples: “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” (v23)
In the Old Testament God revealed his divine purpose for his people, “I will dwell among them and be their God”. Now Jesus promises that our poor and needy hearts will become the residence of the triune God, as all three persons of the Godhead make a home within us.
May we respond with wonder, love and obedience.