When
you need help or support who do you turn to? A friend
who has earned your trust? Jesus offers his disciples
the best and truest of friends. Who is this promised
friend? Jesus calls the Holy Spirit our Counselor
and Advocate (also translated Paraclete or Helper).
Counselor is
a legal term for the one who will defend someone
against an adversary and who guides that person during
the ordeal of trial. The Holy Spirit is our Advocate
and Helper who brings us safely through the challenges
and adversities we must face in this life. As Jesus
approached the hour he was to be glorified -- through
his death on the cross and his resurrection, he revealed
more fully to his disciples the person and role of
the Holy Spirit. What does Jesus tell us about the
Holy Spirit? First, the Holy Spirit is inseparably
one with the Father and the Son. It is the Holy Spirit
who gives life— the very life of God -- and
who kindles faith in hearts receptive to God's word.
The Spirit makes it possible for us to know God
personally. He gives us experiential knowledge of
God as our Father. The Spirit witnesses to our spirit
that the Father has indeed sent his Son into the
world to redeem it and has raised his Son Jesus from
the dead and has seated him at his right hand in
glory and power. The Holy Spirit reveals to us the
knowledge, wisdom and plan of God for the ages and
the Spirit enables us to see with the "eyes of faith" what
the Father and the Son are doing. Through the gift
and working of the Holy Spirit we become witnesses
to the great work of God in Christ Jesus. Jesus warned
his disciples that they could expect persecution
just as Jesus was opposed and treated hostilely.
We have been given the Holy Spirit to help us live
as disciples of Jesus Christ. The Spirit gives us
courage and perseverance when we meet adversities
and challenges. Do you pray for the Holy Spirit to
strengthen you in faith, hope and love and to give
you courage and perseverance with hope when you meet
adversities and challenges?
John 16:12-15 What would you
give to know all truth! Truth, however, is not something
we create nor is it our discovery. It is the gift
of God who is the possessor and the giver of all
truth. Jesus tells his disciples that it is the role
of the Holy Spirit to reveal what is true. How can
this be? Skeptics of truth don't want to believe
in an absolute Truth. If truth is objective then
it must be submitted to as authoritative. Some fear
the truth because they think it will inhibit their
freedom. Jesus told his disciples that the truth
will set you free (John 8:32).The truth liberates
us from doubts, illusions, and fears. Since God is
the source of all truth, then the closer we draw
to him and listen to his word, the more we grow in
the knowledge of him and of his great love and wisdom
for us. Jesus told his disciples that he would send
them the Spirit of truth who will announce to you
the things to come. Through the Holy Spirit, we proclaim
our ancient faith in the saving death and resurrection
of Christ until he comes again. The Lord gives us
his Holy Spirit as our divine Teacher and Helper
that we may grow in the knowledge and wisdom of God.
Do you seek the wisdom that comes from above and
do you willingly obey God's word?
