The Comforter, John 14:26
I want to give you a number of readings for your assignment; and of course, as always, don’t forget to do your homework. The homework assignment for this lesson will be to expand on the thoughts here given. In Luke 2:25-26 we learn of a man who looked for the coming of the “Lord’s Christ,” who was to be the “consolation of Israel.” The Holy Spirit had revealed this truth to Simeon. When this old man saw the baby Jesus he confirmed that this was the one whom the Father had promised.
The word “consolation” used here means “Comforter.” Consolation is what the Comforter does. Simon called Jesus “the Consolation.” Later during His ministry, Jesus told His disciples that when He went away, He would send another Comforter. So, while He was here with the disciples, Jesus himself was their Comforter.
The comfort or consolation which Jesus gave was perfect. His kind words and assurance and admonishment was all that they needed. He said to them, and all who would hear, “come unto me and I will give you rest…” Therefore, when the Comforter Holy Spirit came, He would give the same consolation that Jesus gave. He would be Jesus’ replacement on earth. The children of God do not need the Pope: for they have one who is greater—they have the Holy Ghost.
The Comforter, as shown in John 14, means two things. First, He is our advocate, John 14:16-17 “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; [Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” Second, He is our teacher. John 14:26 “But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
What does an advocate do? The advocate is one who pleads another’s case or cause. The Comforter is one who comes to another’s aid. He comes to help. God the Spirit is the one who comes to our side and then pleads our case before Jesus. He literally prays in our stead. What does a Teacher do? A teacher shows us what He knows. His work is to tell us what Jesus wants us to know. John 16:13-14 “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew [it] unto you.”
GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A FAITHFUL COMFORTER: Everyone needs friends. However, even the closest of friends can and do let you down. Still, that is no reason not to have or make close friends. Some folks are so afraid of being let down or hurt, that they can never make any close friends. Your life cannot be fulfilled unless you are able to take the risk of having at least one close friend. Proverbs 18:24 “A man [that hath] friends must shew himself friendly:” We have one friend however, that will never let us down. He is a faithful Comforter. “What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.” Proverbs 18:24 says, “…and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.” “Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer; In His arms He’ll take and shield thee, thou wilt find a solace there.” he is a faithful Comforter.
GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A LOVING COMFORTER: The Bible tells us that we are loved by God with an everlasting love. That love is divine and perfect. Perfect love is lasting love. It does not depend on what or who we are. It is not affected by what we do. It is everlasting and immutable. There are some people who I used to think a great deal of, but things have happened, they disappointed me and now things are different. I’m sure that the same has happened to you at one time or another. I may lie to you, or cheat you, or steel from you, or forsake you. Any or all of those things may dampen your love for me. But the love of the Comforter is always the same. He loves me when I am unlovable, yea, when I am hateful. Please take the time to read Romans 8:38-39. In Hebrew 13:5 we are told that He will never leave us nor forsake us. Never is a very, very long time. He is a loving Comforter. E-mail, johnpruitt@frontiernet.net
