Jesus: Giver of the Spirit (14:15-31)

Bible Passage: John 14:15-31

One of the themes that Jesus returned to a few times during the discourse on the final evening of his life was that he would send the Holy Spirit to be with his followers. This is also one of the topics that he talked about frequently following his resurrection from the dead. This passage is the first extended explanation of the work of the Spirit in John’s gospel (though there have been mentions already, e.g. John 7:39). These verses sit alongside Jesus’s teaching about the Father and the Son in John 5 to give a foundation for our understanding of Trinitarian theology.

Spirit of Comfort – The word that Jesus uses to describe the Holy Spirit in verses 16 and 26 is ‘paraclete’. It is not the easiest word to translate into English and different English translations of the Bible use the words ‘helper’, ‘advocate’, ‘counsellor’ or ‘comforter’. The idea is that the Spirit is one who comes alongside to help and to comfort, particularly when in a time of difficulty. This idea is developed in v27-28 where Jesus explains that he is leaving them peace, that he doesn’t want their hearts to be troubled and that he wants them to rejoice. Because the Spirit is with us, we have comfort in the challenges of life; even when Jesus is not present in person he still brings us a sense of peace through his Spirit.

Spirit of Truth – In verse 17, Jesus describes the Spirit as ‘the Spirit of truth’. Part of the ministry of the Holy Spirit is enabling us to understand truth. In verse 26 Jesus explains how the Spirit will teach the disciples and remind them of the things he has said. This is an idea that Paul picks up in 1 Corinthians 2. When it comes to knowledge of God, only the Spirit of God can comprehend. Because we have the Spirit of God, things about God that may previously have made no sense to use at all are now within our ability to grasp. This includes the Spirit’s work in illuminating Scripture for us, as well as more supernatural revelations of truth such as prophecy and words of knowledge.

Spirit of Jesus – One of the primary aspects of the Spirit’s ministry is relational. Jesus explained that he does not intend to leave us as orphans, but that ‘I am coming to you’. By sending the Spirit, Jesus is not giving us somebody else who is separate from him, but he is coming himself by the Spirit. In fact, the presence of the Spirit in us will draw us up into the relational life of the Trinity (as Jesus articulates in verse 20). It is by the Spirit that we know the presence of both the Son and the Father with us in this age, and by the Spirit indwelling us that relationship is so much closer than even the relationship Jesus had with his disciples during his earthly ministry.

Potential Applications:

• This would be a great opportunity to pray for people to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
• You could pray for those who need the comfort of the Spirit at the moment that he would draw close and encourage them in whatever circumstances they are facing.
• Perhaps you could create space to either bring some prophetic words or words of knowledge yourself or invite others who have these gifts to do so.