Thursday, January 22nd

Now, for a moment, let’s shift our attention to the disciples. Because the disciples are seeing all that Jesus is doing, but they don’t know about the Holy Spirit yet. They see Jesus heal people, forgive people, cast out demons, multiple food, in essence they see the Spirit at work, but they don’t understand where it is coming from. They see Jesus do life giving, empowering, hovering over chaos and bringing beauty type of things. They believe he is the Messiah and they are looking forward to him rising to the overthrow the Roman world and sit on his right and on his left.

They get to the Passover meal, preparing it like they always do. They know things are starting to get amped up in Jerusalem and around Jesus, but they think it’s time to take arms and live in the new kingdom. Jesus has given them clues, but they don’t see them in the same way. Jesus is feeling the urgency to share more, to give them encouragement and hope.

Jesus, in an incredibly intimate moment after washing their feet, shares this with them.
Quick side bar. Don’t read it like another scripture passage. Read this as Jesus is having an intimate conversation and share. Jesus is trying to share with them about the Holy Spirit and the confusion they must have felt.

John 14:15-17, 25-27, 15:26-27, 16:7-7, 12-15- 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…. 25 “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…. 26 “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. 27 And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning…. 7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you… 12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”

I know I put all of this together, but this, in my mind is unreal. I can only imagine how confused they were, all they wanted was Jesus. They didn’t want a gift from Jesus. They just wanted Jesus. But what Jesus is saying is deeply transformative and empowering.

John 14:16, Jesus says that God is going to give them another advocate/helper. That word “another”, simple, yet profound. “Another” can mean another of a different sort.

Like if I had a sandwich and I gave you the sandwich and it was a turkey on rye. And I asked if you wanted another sandwich, you said, yes, and I gave you a ham on wheat. I gave you another, but of a different sort. But if I offered you a sandwich, turkey on rye and then asked if you wanted another and I gave you another turkey on rye. I am giving you another of the same kind.

The Greek word in this passage for “another” is the another of the same kind. The Holy Spirit is another helper, advocate, the same kind as Jesus. Jesus is saying, “The Father is giving you another helper, just like me.”

Let’s take that work advocate, real quick. It can also be translated helper, it is the word parakletos which is a compound word, para means very close and kaleo means to beckon or call, which invokes destiny or action. Jesus is saying, this same kind of helper, is one that is very close that will teach, direct, counsel you and be with you forever.

Jesus knows he has a limited time, he knows he can’t be with everyone. So the Father, through Jesus, gives us the Holy Spirit. He is essentially saying the gift of the Holy Spirit surpasses God’s bodily human presence through Jesus, better than a face-to-face conversation with God in the flesh. The Holy Spirit is the divine presence in our lives to teach, correct, guide, and counsel forever.

For a moment, can you imagine having Jesus with you, each and every day, in the ordinary and the opportunity, that’s what the Holy Spirit is, the divine presence to counsel, comfort, and correct. How can that shift your attention to the Holy Spirit today?

Start with this prayer, again. Holy Spirit, radically expand my understanding of who You are. Help me see your personality and role as my Helper like never before. Help me to never again limit Your presence, power, or voice in my life. I pray this for myself, my family, and Your entire Church. In Jesus’ name, Amen