YOUR ADVANTAGE
John 16: 7, 12-13 nkj
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
12 "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
Jesus, during His time on earth, seemed to constantly say things that baffled His disciples. He would be walking through a crowd where people were pressing against Him, and He would say, "Who touched Me?" He would ask blind people who came to Him what they wanted from Him. He would say things that made their religious minds go tilt when He declared that rich people would have a hard time entering the Kingdom of God. And I am sure when Jesus said, "It is to your advantage that I go away," that, once again, they were thinking, what?
But, as per the usual, Jesus knew what He was talking about, and the disciples did not. Jesus, in our verses for today, is sharing about the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Jesus called Him the Helper. Other translations read "Counselor" or "Comforter." The word for Helper in the Greek language is parakletos. The Olive Tree Dictionary gives us more insight into this word: "to comfort, encourage, or exhort. It is properly a verbal adjective referring to an aid of any kind. In the Greek, writers used of a legal advisor, pleader, proxy, or advocate, one who comes forward in behalf of and as the representative of another." I have read other definitions listing parakletos as one called alongside to help. Jesus was sending help. But for the disciples, they just heard that He was going away.
Jesus said He had a lot more to share with His disciples, but they could not receive it at that time. It's the same as the famous Jack Nicholson line, "you can't handle the truth." Although for the disciples this was the case. But Jesus had some good news for His followers. When He, the Holy Spirit, came, He would guide them into all truth. Notice Jesus never referred to the Holy Spirit as it. The Holy Spirit is a divine personality, not a wind or a ghost or an it. The Holy Spirit is the third member of the Godhead. And although He is met with a lot of confusion in the church world, His mission is vital. Jesus had many things to say to the disciples, but they did not have the spiritual snap to receive. But after His resurrection, when the disciples had been made new creations in Christ, the Holy Spirit was able to teach them and guide them into the truth.
Not only would He guide them into the truth, but the Holy Spirit would also show them things to come. Jesus was not exaggerating. He was not trying to pacify the disciples before He left. The Holy Spirit would be with them at all times, teaching, guiding, and revealing things to come. That is an advantage. And when the church was starting, they realized how much they needed the supernatural help of the Holy Spirit.
APPLICATION
If the disciples who walked with Jesus for three plus years needed the help of the Holy Spirit, how much more do we? We still need help, counsel, and comfort. We still need to be taught and guided into truth. And with all the internet deception today, how much more do we need help!
The good news is that we have help. When we are born again, the Holy Spirit lives in us. And we are able to receive His empowerment if we simply ask. He is such a gift of God. We have an advantage.
PRAYER
Thank You, Father, for the gift of the Holy Spirit. I recognize and acknowledge Him in my life as my Helper, Counselor, Teacher, and Guide.