As we continue our study of the Gospel of John, we pick up at verse 15, of Chapter 14. Jesus and His disciples are celebrating the Passover Festival, later to be known as ‘The Last Supper’. The Lord is teaching the Apostles things to come not taught before, as He brings revelation to those who will bring the Gospel to the world. He is letting them know they will not be alone as they bring the Good News. and tell of His command to Love. They will have a Helper they know not of at this point, but He will change their lives. John writes the words of Jesus as He says:
“If you love Me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to help you and be with you forever – the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you, and will be in you.” John 14: 15-17.
I often use three different Bible translations, and each of them had different ‘action’ names for the Holy Spirit, in this verse. One says, “Father will give you another ‘Helper’.” (NKJ). Another says, “Father will give you another ‘Counselor’.” (NIV). The other says, “I will ask and the Father will give you another ‘Advocate’. (NIV, Study Bible). That is because the Word the Lord was using to describe Him could be translated into all three. The Lord was telling them that He would be going away in body, but would be returning in Spirit, because He, and the Father, and the Holy Spirit are One, and they would be One with them – in them. They would have a HELPER within, to help them deliver the Message in power as they spoke of the Good News. That would have a COUNSELOR within to bring the right words at the right time. They would have an ADVOCATE within to ensure the Message was brought in Love. The Word says, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, and love, and a sound mind.” 2 Tim 1:7
Jesus, of course, had been with them in the flesh. He walked with them, and talked with them, and ate with them, and slept with them. They had seen His miracles. They loved Him dearly, and loved being with Him, and followed Him with devotion. He is telling them things are about to change, but that He would still be with them. He said to them, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long the world will not see Me anymore, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will also live. On that day you will realize I am in my Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them. John 14: 18-21.
The Apostles had no idea what the Lord was talking about, but we do. Let us live in the truth and power of the Good News, the Gospel. Let us live fully in the fact that we have the Lord in us. Let us walk in the fact that we have a Helper, and a Counselor, and an Advocate within our being. Let us know without question that the power, encouragement, and words to say are ours as we tell others of the Love, and Grace our Lord has for us, and all of His children. ? As we live with Him, immersed in His unconditional Love, we will find it easy to keep His Commandment to Love.