2 Samuel 7-8 / John 14:15-31 / Psalm 119:33-48 / Proverbs 15:33
Do you have someone you can call when you’re in trouble? You know what I’m talking about – a person who will drop everything and run to your side if needed. Someone you could call on day or night and they wouldn’t be upset with the interruption. Hopefully we all have someone like that!
In John 14, Jesus is talking to His disciples about the things that will be happening soon. They still don’t understand that He will die on a cross, and they definitely don’t understand why. Tough times are ahead for them and Jesus knows they will need someone they can call on for help with Him gone.
Jesus has been with them for 3-1/2 years teaching them, being their friend, and in general changing their lives. Now a larger change is coming that has the potential to send all of them into complete confusion. But Jesus has a plan! He is going to send “another comforter” in His place. He’s not leaving the disciples without support.
Who is Jesus sending? What is He like and what will He do for those left behind? The Holy Spirit is referred to in the Greek language as Parakletos and the definition of that word is amazing!
This word means – summoned, called to one’s side, especially called to one’s aid. One who pleads another’s cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant, an advocate. A helper. Of the Holy Spirit destined to take the place of Christ with the apostles (after his ascension to the Father), to lead them to a deeper knowledge of the gospel truth, and give them divine strength needed to enable them to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine kingdom.
Wow! Do you have a friend that would do all that? Or could do all that? The Holy Spirit was “with” the disciples before Jesus’s death and resurrection, but He would live “in” them after the Day of Pentecost. Can you imagine having a helper with that kind of power and authority living inside of you? Well, if you belong to Jesus Christ, you have the Holy Spirit in this way? Do you make full use of Him?
I would imagine you’d need to ask for Holy Spirit’s help in times when you sense it’s needed. Are you being falsely accused? Holy Spirit will go before the Judge in Heaven on your behalf – just ask for His help. Do you need help understanding something in the Bible? Ask Holy Spirit to teach you what is meant by what you’re reading. Are you feeling weak through a hard season in your life? Ask Holy Spirit to give you the strength you need to stand strong until the difficult part has passed.
A few weeks ago, on my Word of the Week, I talked about a word self-reliant and how the Lord is teaching me to be more dependent on Him and on those He has sent into my life. We are sometimes too independent for our own good! I think this is another instance when we need to be dependent on someone other than ourselves. We are limited in understanding and resources, but God is not. God has all resources and understanding, and He is more than willing to share with us what we need.
I think it’s time to get humble and ask God for His help. And yes, that may include asking those around us for help. Don’t worry, there will also be a day when those around need your help. That’s what living in community is all about.
