The Other Helper
For Meditation
Maybe you’ve sometimes thought, “If only we’d be there when Jesus was around.” In our minds, that would have made everything so much easier. Jesus could explain things, tell us what to do, help us work out challenging situations. He could be an encourager and support. We wouldn’t feel as alone.
But this is a deeply mistaken perception. First of all, when Jesus was here with us in physical bodily form, he was limited by the same limitations we have in time and space. He could only be with one person or group at a time. We hear of many people he helped in the Gospels, but think of all the people in the world he didn’t help! Imagine if Jesus were still around today in his post-resurrection body, as 2.2 billion Christians around the world competed for his attention. That would be a mess.
Second, in this passage and others in this section, Jesus actually promises to “stay around” with his people from that day on until he comes again. In fact, he says that it will be better, easier, more wonderful to relate to him in this new mode. He will be more available than he has ever been, and we as his people will be empowered by him to do things not possible before. What is this new situation?
It is the gift of the Spirit, who Jesus calls “the other Helper.” The Holy Spirit is the person of the Trinity who makes the Christian life more possible, not less.
In preparation for worship this week, read through our text and look for all the descriptions of the work of the Holy Spirit.
John 14:15-27
15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 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. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 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.”
22 Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”
23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
23 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.