Pentecost: Gospel, John 14:23-31                                      

John 14:23-31

There’s an introduction of sorts in our gospel text this week. Or at least a hint towards an introduction. And it comes on the heels of news of a departure. Comings and goings. All our lives are full of them. But the ones we dwell on here are capital-S significant. Jesus, the Lord is leaving, going to where it is destined for him to be. He is a living, dying, rising Savior so that he may ascend to where he was before-now with the fulness of a human nature taken on, save for sin.

But there is another coming-and let’s be clear, the Holy Spirit is not Jesus in another form. Jesus will be at the Father’s right hand and the Holy Spirit will be sent, not simply as replacement, but a separate Person with his own vocation.  Jesus has encouraged right-minded rejoicing at his departure and he has told his disciples the “why.” Then, Jesus goes on to inform them that the Holy Spirit is coming and in the translation that I read most, the NKJV, his title is translated as “Helper.” Variations of translation abound and there’s good reason. One translation calls the Holy Spirit “Advocate,” others “Comforter,” and “Counselor.” The Greek underlying these English attempts we would translate as “paraclete.” And the best definition I have heard of that word, even before translation, is “one of the same kind called alongside to help.”

There it is. From that definition it is clearly seen that all the above translations certainly can suffice. The Holy Spirit is not a replacement, but He is another Person of the Holy Trinity carrying the divine characteristics one would expect from the Triune God. He loves like the Father and Jesus love. He helps and encourages and comforts and leads as they do. But He is noted for the power in which He comes. Not that the other two Persons lack power, but the Holy Spirit manifests that power to the individual believer and the church gathered in marvelous ways.

It is good for us that Jesus has “gone away.” The Spirit has come always pointing to Jesus and filling us alongside the Father and the Son. He is all we need.