The Culture of Hope Founded on Faith
More Than Comforter, Part 1
During and after His last Passover supper, Jesus gave His final instructions to His disciples. They are recorded in detail in John 13-17 and are just as pertinent to our individual walk with God as they were some two thousand years ago at the end of Jesus’ ministry on earth. They include information about the function of the Holy Spirit in the life of each believer:
“These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you – not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:25-27).
While Jesus was with His disciples, they were able to learn from Him directly by hearing His words and observing His actions. Because He knew He was not to remain long in their company after His death, He assured the disciples that they were still under God’s protection and guidance through the Holy Spirit. The Greek New Testament uses the word “parakletos” in this passage. It is translated “Comforter” in the King James Version. It literally means “one called alongside to help”. In John 14:16 Jesus says He will send “another comforter”, indicating that the Holy Spirit will come to be the spiritual mentor that Jesus had already been with His followers during His time on earth.
The use of the word “whom” clarifies that the Holy Spirit is a person, not a force. The word “whom” is used again in John 15:26: “…when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, He shall testify of me.” Note that the term translated “proceeds” here is a continuous action verb denoting something that is in the process of happening. The Holy Spirit, who continually proceeds from the Father and from the Son, is no less divine than either of them and no less present with them while ministering to believers on earth.
In coming to the disciples, part of the function of the Holy Spirit was to bring to remembrance the teachings of Jesus that needed to be recorded in Scripture for future generations, including us. Now we enjoy the blessing of the Holy Spirit teaching us through the Bible, what was written down thousands of years ago, and giving us a righteous understanding of God’s Word.
Today He continues to be “Paraclete” – Helper, Teacher, Comforter – enabling us to be right-minded, teaching us through Scripture, and giving us peace that passes all understanding. We need not fear anything because of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, a gift from the Father and the spiritual mark of our relationship with the Father that results from our belief in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for sin.
