The Counselor

Scripture: John 14:22-26 (Click link for scripture in Bible Gateway)

22 Judas (not Judas Iscariot, but the other disciple with that name) said to him, “Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?” 23 Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. 24 Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. 25 I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. 26 But when the Father sends the Counselor as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. (John 14:22-26 NLT)

Judas (the other one) asked a legitimate question. (Remember the frame of reference – They expect that Jesus is the Messiah and is going to overthrow Rome, clean up Temple, Inc. and set up his Kingdom.) He asked, “Why would you reveal yourself to us and not to everybody? That doesn’t make sense!” Jesus seems to ignore the question and answer a different question altogether. “All who love me will do what I say: They’ll love God, they’ll love other people, they’ll love each other, and they’ll even love their enemies. That makes it possible for my Father and me to come and make our home with each of them. These are the words my Father has given me for you.”

Interlude: Jesus is arrested, crucified, buried, and resurrected. He appears to his disciples over a period of a month or so. Then they see him ascend to heaven. As instructed, they wait for about a week in pretty much constant prayer.

Promise Fulfilled: Suddenly one morning about 9 AM God sent the Holy Spirit, the Counselor, to indwell them, empower them, and inspire them. And the Holy Spirit began a process that continues to this day, reminding them of the things Jesus did and taught and teaching them how to follow the Way by applying the Truth to the Life they are living. Day by day he filled them, instructed them, empowered them, and inspired them. They began to preach and heal and do the things Jesus was doing. They experienced the complete fulfillment of all he promised, but it didn’t look anything like they expected it to. Eventually some folks begin writing this stuff down and that stuff became the Bible. And that seems to be pretty much how it works to this day!

Prayer:

Father, It makes more sense now than it did then, but we sure do need the Holy Spirit to keep us from drifting into a religion of rules and rituals. Please fill us again! Amen!