In these verses. Jesus was talking
about the Holy Spirit whom He would ask the Father to send to the disciples.
This Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He completes the Godhead. Here
Jesus refers to Him as another Helper. In fact the word Comforter would fit the
word Helper more accurately. Being a Comforter is more than a consoler. The word
comforter is derived from two Latin words: “com” meaning alongside and “fortis”
meaning strong. Hence the Comforter, whom Jesus would ask the Father to send would
come alongside believers to strengthen them in their needs. Here Jesus
specially mentioned the adjective “another”. In English, the word “another” means
an alternative. But in Greek, there are two words translated into the word “another.”
One refers to another of a different kind. But the word Jesus used is referring
to another of the same kind. It means that the Comforter would be another of
the same kind as Jesus. Although He would be sent to replace Jesus, He would be
exactly like Jesus. He would not be a temporary relief but a permanent feature
in the life of the disciples. He would be with them (and us) forever.
In verse 17, this Comforter is
referred to as the Spirit of truth. Literally this title “Spirit of truth” means
Spirit of the Truth. He would come to make known Jesus and the words He had spoken
and taught. By saying that the Spirit would not be visible to the naked eye, He
was warning the disciples against expecting to see another visible person. Although
eye cannot see Him, this Spirit of truth will be known by the believers of
Christ because He would come to be with them and stay within them. And He would
be the distinguishing mark between the people of God and the world. The reason
the world cannot receive the Spirit is because the natural man cannot receive
the things of God. Paul tells us that spiritual things are spiritually discerned.
Here the Lord Jesus also promised
that the Holy Spirit would indwell believers. Unlike in the Old Testament time,
the Holy Spirit was only given for specific assignments. And when the task was
done, He would depart from the person used for the task. But now He would come and
remain within the believers and abide in them forever. In other words, believers
become the temple of God. In that sense, Jesus won’t leave us comfortless. He won’t
leave His people as orphans without guidance. It is the delight of God to be
with us, to guide and direct us. We will not be like helpless sheep in a hostile
world. He promised to be with His people. Bear in mind that at the beginning of
His ministry, God announced that Jesus would be known as Emmanuel, meaning God
with us. Now nearing His departure, Jesus affirmed the promise of the Father
that He would be with us. He would once again make this promise before His ascension
to heaven.
,
Christ was hinting about His resurrection
in verse 19. The world would see Him one last time when He would be hung on the
cross. After that they would not see Him again. Whereas His disciples will see
Him again and again as He would appear to them. The world would think that He is
dead and gone, but His followers will know that He is alive. And because He
lives, we shall live also. When all that happen, it would be the clearest confirmation
that Jesus and God the Father are inseparably One. What a glorious promise! The
Holy Spirit is here in us to guide us. Come and think of it: we have Jesus in heaven
making intercession for us and we have His Spirit here within us to guide us. If
we trust Him absolutely, how can we fail in our journey!
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