When the Helper Comes

June 30, 2022

But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning (John 15:26-27).

As Jesus walked with His disciples from the upper room to the Garden of Gethsemane, He spoke to them of many things that were difficult for them to grasp. Not only were His words hard to understand because the disciples were spiritually immature, but also because they were emotionally distraught. We can’t blame them for these things, for they were typically human. Have you ever thought what your life would be like without the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit? Jesus told them that the Holy Spirit was yet to come to them permanently. He had been with them from time to time, and had given them some knowledge and understanding during the ministry of Jesus, but He would not come to indwell them until the Day of Pentecost after the resurrection of Jesus.

The word ‘Helper’ is paraklaytos, and refers to an intercessor, consoler, advocate, or comforter. Jesus called Him the ‘Helper’ because He would assist them in remembering and understanding all that Jesus had taught them, and would empower and equip them to carry on the work of the Kingdom of Christ after His resurrection and ascension. The word paraklaytos literally means ‘to come along side to assist’. That’s who He was to the disciples, and that’s who He is to us today.

In the two verses cited above, Jesus assured the disciples that they would not have to face the opposition and persecution of the world alone. They would suffer for the sake of the Gospel, but their suffering would be borne by the Holy Spirit in them. The Apostle Paul wrote, (1 Corinthians 10:13) No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. The word ‘temptation’ is peirasmos, and can mean ‘trial’ or ‘temptation’ given the context. The point is, God will provide the means whereby His people will be able to bear up under trials, tribulations, and temptations because of the presence of the Holy Spirit - He will provide the means of escape. He did so numerous times in the life of Peter and of Paul. 

(John 14:16-17,26) And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever - the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. . . .  But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. This would be key for all disciples of Jesus Christ, for the Holy Spirit will be our wisdom and understanding of all things pertaining to life and ministry. He will teach us to capitalize on the times of freedom as well as the times of opposition and persecution so that the name of Jesus Christ will be broadcast to all whom the Lord would have to hear and receive Him as Lord and Savior. Amen.

Pastor Martin

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