John 14 - Don't Be Ignorant of the Holy Spirit!

John 14 - NIV

Enduring Word Commentary

Key Verses for Today 

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

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." John 14:15-17

Commentary

Chapter 14 begins what we call Jesus' "Upper Room Discourse". His teaching to the disicples goes through chapter 17. It is the last time he will address the disciples, so what he was vitally important to them and to us today. The next four chapters have so many things I could comment on, so I would advise you to take the time to read through them and maybe even read the Enduring Word Commentary. 

In two days we will celebrate Easter, where we shout, "He is Risen. He is Risen Indeed"! While this is the most important event in human history, 50 days after Jesus rose from the dead, He promised another significant event that would change human history. It is the day of Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples. In the verses above, Jesus is starting to prepare them for that day, as he describes the work of the Holy Spirit. 

First of all, Jesus calls the Holy Spirit "the advocate". I don't think this translation of the Greek word for the Holy Spirit accurately portrays the fuller meaning of this word. The Greek word is "paraklete". Not "parakeet" LOL. This words means the "one who is called alongside." 

The word "advocate" does describe the role of the Holy Spirit though.  The word can be compared to a defense attorney who advocates for his client. In this sense the Holy Spirit advocates for us before the Father against the accusations of the evil one. This is why the devil is also called "the accuser". 

The Holy Spirit reminds us we are a child of God, even when we sin, as the devil tries to beat us up over it. But this word can also mean "counselor", "comforter" and "intercessor". As you can see this expands the meaning of the term. The bottom line for me is that I don't think we don't spend enough time study, realizing, and experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit. Without the Spirit we cannot be all God wants us to be as his followers. We cannot be a force for his kingdom coming on earth as is it in heaven. 

I think one of the strategies of the evil one is to keep us ignorant of the Holy Spirit. When Paul visits the biggest early church in Ephesus it says in Acts 19:1-2

Paul in Ephesus

19 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when[a] you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 

As a pastor for 30 years, I would hope none of the congregations I have served would say that! 

Importantly the Holy Spirit lives inside of You. Paul says in Galatians 5:16, "Walk by the Holy Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature!" 

Application

1. Do you think that you fully utilize the Holy Spirit in Your Christian life? How might you do that in a greater way? Remember the Holy Spirit is a person, so you can talk and pray to the Spirit. 

2. Where do you need the counsel and comfort of the Holy Spirit? One of the prominent fruits of the Holy Spirit is, "peace". 

3. Also, the Holy Spirit is your intercessor. Where do you need to Holy Spirit to intercede for you? Note when we pray that Holy Spirit does intercede through our prayers and gives us the words to say. 

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. Romans 8:26-27

Prayer of the Day

Come Holy Spirit and fill us with Your power, presence, and peace. Help us to live by Your guidance and counsel. May we not "quench" the Holy Spirit, but allow him to flow freely through us so we might be your ambassadors in the world! Amen.  


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