“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever…you know him, for he lives withy you and will be in you.” (John 14:16-17)
Jesus just told the disciples that he would be “leaving them” soon, and they were understandably upset. In his comfort to them, he made this promise: he would send a paraclete – a counselor.
Older versions use the word “comforter.” In fact, there are many shades of meaning for the Greek parakletos. Take the Amplified version for instance: “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever.” (John 14:16, AMP)
Now, if the word sounds familiar, that’s because we used the same word to describe Jesus. “My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate (paraclete) with the Father—Jesus Christ the righteous one.” (1 John 2:1, CSB)
Jesus spent three years on the earth being an advocate, counselor, comforter, and strengthener for the disciples. He would soon depart…and he would be leaving a huge task for the disciples to continue – no less than the Great Commission. Would they be forced to do this without an advocate, counselor, comforter, and strengthener?
How in the world could they? Jesus promised them another comforter – another in the sense of the same kind, not different (allos means another of the same). In verse 18, Jesus promises: I’m leaving, but I’m not leaving you as orphans. I’m not leaving you empty handed.
The Father will send you someone just like myself. The Holy Spirit will be your advocate, counselor, comforter, strengthener. And the most exciting prospect: this comforter would not only remain with the disciples, but be in the disciples.
At no point in their future would they ever be alone or separated from God. They would have an advocate, counselor, comforter, and strengthener with them at all times.
He is now OUR paraclete! Join us Sunday and let me introduce you!
