JOHN 14: 15– 20
THE COMING OF THE SPIRIT
This is the first of several teachings on the Holy Spirit in the Upper Room Discourse. Jesus teaches so much about the Holy Spirit because apart from the Spirit of God we cannot live the Christian life God calls us to in His Word. We need to know who the Spirit is, what He does, and how He does it.
Jesus is going away, but they will not be left to their own resources. The Father will send the Spirit in Jesus’ place. This gift of the Spirit is an outgrowth of the loving relationship between Jesus and His disciples.
The power of God is resident in Jesus and His disciples are invited to know Jesus and gain life from Him, and share His power. This is only possible because of the Coming of the Spirit.
I. THE TEST OF LOVE, 15.
II. THE GIFT OF LOVE, 16-17.
III. THE INDWELLING OF LOVE, 18-20.
In verse 15 we find that obedience is a test of our love for Jesus. “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
Love is an important theme in the gospel of John. As a noun or verb love is used 56 times. Jesus has spoken of His love for His disciples and their obligation to love one another, now He speaks of their love for Him.
The sentence is conditional. Jesus’ precepts (entole) will be kept if we love Him. A constant love for Christ is the motivation for continuous obedience.
The 140 year old church I pastored in Spring City, TN was on a road that was a short-cut connection between two major highways. The families on that street had a genuine concern about the lack of safety as a result of SPEEDING VEHICLES.
In response to the situation the city officials came up with a solution. They parked unmanned patrol cars just off the road. Obviously these cars couldn’t pursue lawbreakers or write tickets, but just the appearance of patrol cars was enough to make people slow down. It was a creative way to trick people into obeying the law.
As believers in Christ, we shouldn’t have to be forced or tricked into doing what’s right. In fact, obedience can be drained of its significance if we obey only out of obligation or duty. Our desire should be to do what is pleasing to our Lord because we love Him. Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My precepts. We should make it our aim to be well pleasing to Him (2 Cor. 5:9)
Let’s do what’s right out of a heart of gratitude for His love and grace to us. Our desire to love Jesus is our highest and most powerful motive for obeying God.
As a SUCCESSFUL NEWSMAN, he seemed to have everything the world could offer. One bright Sunday morning in 1971, while he and his wife were vacationing, they slipped into a little white clapboard church in Cove Creek, Arizona. The sight of the dozen or so people sitting on wooden folding chairs stirred boyhood memories: John 3:16 had been planted early in his mind, and one night he had knelt by his bed and received Jesus as his Savior. But that was years ago.
The minister announced his subject - baptism. The newsman yawned but became attentive as the pastor talked of giving one’s entire life to serve Christ. The newsman mused, "Long years ago I had asked to be saved, but had I offered to serve? I began to realize how much of me I had been holding back." That morning the issue became clear and Paul Harvey, one of Americas best-loved broadcasters, surrendered his life to Christ.
A year later, Paul Harvey said, “Though I had learned John 3:16 early in life. It took me till last year to learn John 14:15. ‘If you love Me, keep My commandments.’ The Christian life is one of obedience, not partnership.”
Christ offered Himself for our sins; we offer ourselves for His service. If we want to know the joy of living for Christ, we must surrender every area of our life to Him. [D.J.D. Our Daily Bread]
Let your days be Mine to order; Where I lead, obedient be.
Let your own desires be nothing; Only seek to follow Me. - Anon.
II. THE GIFT OF LOVE, 16-17.
In preparation for His departure Jesus promises the Holy Spirit to His disciples in verse 16. “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;
The Holy Spirit is introduced to us as paraklçtos (also used in 14:26; 15:26; 16:7).
Para-kletos comes from a verbal root that describes someone “called alongside” and occurs in secular Greek literature for an advocate in a court of law, who comes “alongside” a person to speak in his or her defense and provide counsel. [The word does not mean “comfort” as in the KJV and even “Counselor” (RSV, NIV) can be misleading. Rather, one must think of a “legal counselor.” The best translation is “Advocate” (NRSV), so that Jesus is pointing to the Spirit’s judicial or legal service. [Burge, Gary NIV Application Commentary, John. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000, 395] It referred to an official advisor, legal counsel, mediator or intercessor. The Holy Spirit is ready to help and guide, especially in times of need.
A few years ago, a 42-foot sailboat got caught in STORMY SEAS off the east coast of the United States. Waves rose higher and higher until a giant wave flipped the boat upside down. The heavy keel righted the craft, but damage was significant.
A Coast Guard cutter quickly responded to the sailboat’s SOS. But when the ship located the desperate boat, no one could be rescued because of the violent seas. So the cutter drew as close as possible to the smaller craft, taking the brunt of the waves. The ship remained alongside the imperiled boat and led her into port.
The action of this Coast Guard cutter is an illustration of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. The word Helper literally means "one called alongside to help." The Holy Spirit guides and protects us through life’s storms, much like that rescue ship escorted the sailboat.
The Spirit buffers us from the raging storms of life, whether those gales are emotional, physical, or spiritual. He is there beside us to protect, encourage, and counsel. He will guide us until we are safely Home. - Dave Egner
Jesus calls the Spirit another (of the same kind, allon) Paraclete. In a sense the Spirit has now replaced Jesus’ physical presence and He represents God to believers. First John 2:1 makes clear that Jesus is also a Paraclete or advocate. This means that the ongoing work of the Spirit will be a continuation of the work of Jesus during the disciples’ lifetime. Note that the Spirit is with each believer and resides in us forever (Rom. 8:9).
[When the Norwegian EXPLORER FRIDTJOF NANSEN left for the North Pole in 1893, he took with him ta strong, fast carrier pigeon. For many difficult months, Nansen explored the desolate Arctic regions. One day during that time, he penned a tiny message, attached it to the pigeon, and prepared to release the bird to travel the 2,000 miles back to Norway. Nansen took the trembling bird in his hand and flung her upward into the foreboding atmosphere. She circled three times and then headed south - a thousand miles over ice and another thousand over the ocean. When the bird finally arrived at the Nansem home, the explorer’s wife knew her husband was safe.
Similarly, the heavenly Dove, the Holy Spirit, brought encouragement and hope to the Christians on the Day of Pentecost. Before Our Savior left this earth, He promised to send us a helper, an advisor. The Spirit’s coming assured the disciples that Jesus had returned to the right hand of the Father and kept His promise to them Acts 2:33. Christ departed so that the Holy Spirit could be imparted.
Today the Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are God’s children, and He reminds us that we have an intercessor, the Lord Jesus, in Glory (Rom. 8:16,34). The heavenly Dove assures us that all is well. [ P.R.V. Our Daily Bread]
In verse 17 we learn the Sprit of Truth abides with and indwells believers. that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.
The Advocate is now call the Spirit of Truth. Jesus has been on trial before the people and like an advocate He has produced evidences and witnesses for the truth about God. The Paraclete will pick up where Jesus left off. So it is no surprise that He is called “the Spirit of Truth (John 14:17; 15:26; 16:13).
He would guide the apostles into truth and help them live out the truth. He would communicate the truth about God, [which is the essence of God’s work in Christ (1:17; 4:24; 5:33; 8:32, 40). ] We know that Jesus is “the truth” (14:6), and since the Spirit duplicates and sustains Jesus’ work, He will continue to affirm the truth of Jesus.
In John’s Gospel, the world (14:17b, Gk. kosmos) refers to the human system that is in rebellion against God (1:10; 3:16, 19; 7:7; 8:23; 12:31; 14:30) and in need of salvation (4:42; 6:14, 33, 51; 8:12). Jesus recognizes that such people cannot perceive or penetrate the deeper things of God, such as the mystery of the Holy Spirit (9:39).
The Spirit is not seen or is invisible and thus His presence is not accepted or recognized by the world. Yet He is real and active. Without a radio, radio waves go unnoticed. The Holy Spirit is unnoticed by the unsaved who have no spiritual life.
The disciples, however, can know the Spirit of Truth because He has been with them all along, and will be in them in the future. They had some experience with the Spirit (doubtless in preaching and miracle-working) as had those under the Old Covenant but the after Pentecost the experience of His working would be much more intimate.
Why did Jesus say that the Holy Spirit will be (fut. tense) in them? Because in Old Testament times the Spirit came on some believers for special enablement, but after Pentecost He indwells every believer permanently (Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 12:13). The great privilege of every believer is the indwelling of the Spirit (Jn 7:38).
One of the days worthy of every Christian’s recognition is Pentecost Sunday-an observance of the advent of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost Sunday occurs 50 days after Passover or Easter and originally commemorated the giving of the Law. The symbol of the Holy Spirit is generally that of the dove. Other symbols for the Holy Spirit include:
Oil- It is the Holy Spirit that anoints, sets apart and empowers a believer for service.
Water-I t is the Holy Spirit that cleanses us from the power of sin and refreshes our often parched hearts.
Light- It is the Holy Spirit that guides us in steps of truth and righteousness.
Fire- It is the Holy Spirit that purges and sets our devotion for God ablaze.
Wind- It is the Holy Spirit that touches our lives with God’s ministering presence.
Following Christ’s resurrection, the Holy Spirit in the disciples’ lives changed them from fearful, discouraged disciples into powerful proclaimers of the good news. This same awareness and appropriation of the Holy Spirit’s enabling power is still a most necessary ingredient to effective witnessing for our Lord.
III. THE INDWELLING OF LOVE, 18-20.
In verse 18 Jesus tells His disciples that though He will not be with them physically, He will be with them. “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
Jesus is assuring His followers that whatever may occur in their experience in the world, they will never be on their own. They will not be left desolate. He will continue to shepherd them, support them, and protect them.
What did Jesus mean when He said, I will come to you? [Was He referring to (1) His resurrection, (2) the Rapture, (3) the death of a believer, or (4) the Holy Spirit’s coming at Pentecost? Views 1 and 4 seem best. [Walvoord & Zuck. The Bible Knowledge Commentary. Wheaton, IL : Victor Books, 1983, 323.] To experience the Spirit is to experience Jesus.
Verse 19 indicates it is Jesus’ coming in the Spirit after His resurrection appearance to His disciples. Jesus is just as real today as He was when He walked on this earth. Even though He doesn’t move among us physically, by the Holy Spirit He is here, there, everywhere. He is a continuous, living presence-outside of us and inside of us.
What an incalculable blessing. Despite what you are or what you may have done, He loves you (Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:7-11). He will never leave you nor forsake you (John 14:18; Hebrews 13:5). Others may not think much of you or invite you to spend time with them, but Jesus does (Matthew11 :28). Others may not like the way you look, but He looks at your heart (1 Samuel 16:7; Luke 24:38). Others may think you’re a bother because you’re old and in the way, but He will love you to the end (Romans 8:35-39). If you know Jesus, you’ll never be alone.
Jesus loves you in spite of all the conditions that cause others to turn away. He wants to change you to be like Him, but He loves you as you are and will never abandon you. You are family; you will never, ever be alone. -David Roper
In verse19 Jesus again speaks of the immediateness of His departure and the coming of the life-giving Spirit [F. F. Bruce, 303]. “After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also.
It is not just the world failing to see Him, but of the disciples having a visual experience. In other words, while from the world’s perspective Jesus will disappear from view (in His death), in His resurrection He will return to them. But I see a deeper reference here also. Jesus will be visible by the eyes of faith. Though the world has not seen Him, throughout Christian history His followers have seen Him in so many ways.
The coming of Jesus on Easter will mean more than a mere return of Jesus to life.
His resurrection is also the pledge of their resurrection (Because I live, you also will live; 1 Cor. 15:20-21) and the foundation of a new life in the Spirit. In the receiving of Jesus (Jn 1:12) we receive the life-giving Spirit who not only gives us the life of Christ, but the power to abide in Him and to draw life from Him.
We admire anyone who makes a COMEBACK after failure and defeat. In 2001, Sports Illustrated magazine featured an article on the greatest comebacks of all time. Surprisingly, they selected the resurrection of Jesus as number one. It was stated this way: "Jesus Christ, 33 AD. Defies critics and stuns the Romans with His resurrection."
How discerning! In any list of history’s comebacks, Jesus’ victory over the grave surely merits first place. Indeed, His resurrection is in a class that soars above any other comeback.
Death ultimately triumphs over life. When a person dies, there is no possibility of renewed existence-at least not in this world. But that wasn’t so with Jesus. He had promised His disciples that after being crucified by His enemies, He would come back to life-triumphing over the sin, death and the grave. Matthew records this in 16:21. “He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things. . . and be killed, and be raised the third day" And that is what happened to our Savior.
Jesus Christ’s comeback assures us that we too by faith in Him will come back by being resurrected out of death (John 11:25-26). [Vernon Grounds ]
The age of the Spirit is foretold in verse 20. “In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.
On that day refers to the day of Pentecost when the outpoured Spirit gave evidence of Jesus’ Ascension to the Father. (Some take the “day” to refer to Jesus’ resurrection.) On that day the Father sent the Spirit to be with and in believers from that point in history onward. The Spirit would come into believers (v.17), and would teach them of their union with Jesus (you are in Me, and I am in you). The Spirit would bring the life of Christ into and out of their life.
The coming of the Spirit to indwell believers brings the realization that the Father, Son and Spirit are united in purpose and operation. The coming of the Spirit would bring about a new relationship between the Holy Trinity and believers. It has been Jesus’ aim is to establish the sort of intimacy and unity of relationship He has with the Father with us. Wonder of Wonders.
CONCLUSION
To receive Jesus, to “have Jesus in your heart,” is to experience the Spirit dwelling within your life. The work of the Spirit-Paraclete is to bring into our hearts the ongoing life and presence of Jesus.
Do you know this abiding intimacy and union with Jesus?
