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6-15 TIM's THOUGHTS Paraclete.Pages TIM’S THOUGHTS PARACLETE We need help. Seriously. We all need lots of help. Following Jesus is impossible for us. At the end of John 15:5 Jesus said it best: “Without me you are unable to do anything”.* The good news is that we are not expected to. The key to following Jesus is relying on His help. The beginning of the same verse says “If you stay in me and I stay in you then you’ll be incredibly effective disciples”.* We need help and Jesus promised to be that help. Yet how can that work without him here beside us? His crucifixion, resurrection and ascension places Him in heaven and no longer physically next to us. So how is Jesus going to help us now? How can this long-distance relationship provide the enormous amount of help we need every day? That is the uncertain and uncomfortable predicament the disciples faced in this very passage. They were mere hours from Calvary. In one weekend they would lose their jobs, meaning, purpose and everyday routine. The cross meant losing their teacher, guide, support system and friend. Good Friday must have felt like someone tore the umbilical cord to God right out of their hearts. This was a monumental change. Jesus loved his disciples way too much to abandon them. So He made sure they were prepared. Jesus promised to send them help that would never leave. “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—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 Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to be the disciples’ advocate. The greek word for advocate is “paraclete" - which literally means “the one called alongside to help”. That is what the Holy Spirit is for Jesus’ disciples then and now, the one called alongside to help us. He is sent to continue what Jesus started. He is sent to help us know, obey and love the Lord. Through the Paraclete we experience God’s love for us. The Holy Spirit is God present in us, speaking from inside our heart and mind, breathing fresh air into our lungs, empowering us to be truly human. In college a youth minister took the time to come alongside me. He would often call asking: “Are you doing anything? I have to run an errand, why don’t you come with me?” On those errands he mentored me. He would hand me his travel bible, I’d read aloud and he would explain God’s word to me. As I made the uncomfortable transition to adulthood his teaching reinforced what my parents had taught. As my mentor he helped, empowered and led me towards maturity. Like that youth minister did for me, the Holy Spirit does for us all. He comes alongside us on our daily drive through life leading, teaching and helping us, patiently training us up in Christ. Although we cannot see the Spirit we must learn to recognize His constant presence. Listen and respond to His gentle nudges. He will not leave you, ever. The Holy Spirit is our helper, our sole source of truth, power and life for each day. The Holy Spirit is the daily amplifier of the music of Jesus. “All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:25-27 The Holy Spirit teaches us all things and reminds us of Jesus’ words. This is great news for me. I am terribly forgetful. I often leave my office only to return multiple times before I actually get out the door because I forgot this, that and another thing. I also have a tendency to forget God’s truth. I need reminding. I need to hear the melody of Jesus played over and over again. When I forget God’s truth I get panicky, cranky and impatient. Jesus knows we are forgetful so He sent the Spirit of Truth to remind us of God’s word. However, reminding needs to be heeded to be effective. Relying on the Holy Spirit produces Jesus’ peace. Refusing to rely on the Holy Spirit leads to fear and anxiety. Instead of living with troubled hearts and fearful minds let us submit to the Holy Sprit’s reminders, directions and nudges. Then we will live in Jesus’ peace. This is the way to growing up in Jesus. Maturity in Christ is important because we have a mission to complete. “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning. John 15:26–27 We are not living for our own agendas. God has called, redeemed and transformed us to join in His mission in the world. Our job is to tell the good news: “Jesus, the crucified and risen Messiah is the Lord of the world.” Our job is only done when the Spirit does His job first. We are like the water bottles I bring to work every day. On our own we are empty, dirty and unavailable. To use my bottles I have to clean them, fill them and bring them with. By the Holy Spirit God picks us up and cleans us in Jesus’ blood. He fills us full with the Spirit of Life and brings us to work to be poured out on a thirsty world. The Holy Spirit testifies about Jesus to us. We simply repeat what we hear Him saying. God has not left us alone, as orphans, but has sent a Paraclete to help. May we learn to recognize the Holy Spirit’s presence, rely on His help, be reminded of Jesus’ word, led into all truth and sent out on mission in the world. God has come alongside, let us walk with Him step by step. *indicates my own translation .
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