The Promise Of The Holy Spirit
THE PROMISE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
JOHN 14:15-24
Jesus now encourages the disciples by teaching them about
the Holy Spirit.
Much of what Jesus says in the final discourse can only be understood in the light of the coming of the Holy Spirit. A new coming of the Spirit had been referred to by the evangelist in 7:39. Now Jesus devotes some time to explaining the personality of the Spirit, the naure of his coming and the work which he would do in the world.
The promise of the Spirit’s coming is made in the context of the disciples’ loving, and therefore obeying, their Master. The coming was to be in answer to the Son’s prayer to the Father. The Spirit was described as the “Counsellor.” He was to be there to stand by them and to help them. Despite the reality of the coming and the presence of the Spirit, the world at large would not recognize his presence or his existence. But the disciples would know from their experience.
Jesus now goes on to say that the Spirit’s coming will be his own coming. As the days of his flesh come to an end the world will not be able to see him any longer. His disciples, however, will go on seeing him because his life will be in them through the Spirit. Only in the Spirit will they learn the mutual indwelling of Father and Son, and of themselves with him. But this is not religious experience without moral consequences. Love and obedience are necessary for the continued enjoyment of the love of Father and Son, and for the reception of his revelation. There will be no fleeting visit. The man who loves and obeys will have the tremendous privilege of having Father and Son coming to make their home with him through the Spirit.
Notes 14:16: “Counsellor”—the Greek word is parakletos. It sometimes has the meaning of “advocate” (so NEB). Christ is described as the believer’s Paraclete or Advocate in 1 John 2:1. The Spirit is “another” because he continues what Christ has done. There may be some connection also with the idea of Christian paraklésis (“prophetic exhortation” to accept the Messianic salvation; see Barrett’s commentary ad loc.). 14:18: “desolate”—literally “orphans.” The word was used of disciples who had lost a teacher as well as of children who had lost a father.