Tuesday, February 4th

We are continuing our conversation about the names Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit, specifically in John 14, with the Greek word parakletos (pa-ra-klay-tos), “one called alongside to help.” Yesterday we looked at Advocate and Comforter.

John 14:16-18- 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.

The next descriptive word is Counselor- Think about it in our contemporary term of counselor. This is a direct reference to the Greek phrase, “one called alongside to help.” That’s what a counselor does, is comes alongside to help, to help reveal, to bring order back to the chaos of life.

What’s amazing about this use of the word is that I believe Jesus used this as a play on words as well. Because parakletos is also a maritime term. It would be used in relation to a rescue boat. That if your fishing boat got blown out to sea, a parakletos, a rescue boat would come out to you, attach itself to you, and tow you back to safety.

Jesus uses this word and Peter, Andrew, James and John should have perked up. The Holy Spirit is one that brings us back to safety, when we are lost, wandering in life, alone, the Holy Spirit pulls us back to the Father.

How do you need to see the Holy Spirit as Counselor in your faith journey? Where have you “blown out to sea” and need the Holy Spirit to bring you back to God’s heart?

Then finally lets look at this word. Teacher- This is indirect, but I think it needs to be called out. Notice John 14:26 (you can also see it John 15:26,16:13)- 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.

That when we sit with Scripture, it is the Holy Spirit that helps us understand the Word of God. That’s why I love the inclusiveness of this quote from Henry Blackaby.
 
“He is our Teacher. When He teaches you the Word of God, sit before Him and respond to Him. As you pray, watch and see how He uses the Word of God to confirm in your heart a word from God. Watch what He is doing around you in circumstances. The God who is speaking to you as you pray, the God who is speaking to you in the Scriptures is the God who is working around you. God speaks by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church to reveal Himself, His purposes, and His ways.”

How do you need to see the Holy Spirit as Teacher in your faith journey? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to teach you today in what you read in Scripture, or prayer, or even in the circumstances of today?