ANOTHER Helper!

At the last supper, hours before his arrest and crucifixion, Jesus was thinking of others.

He was speaking words of comfort to his disciples to prepare them for what they were about to face: Their friend Judas (who they thought was going out to give money to the poor, Jn 13:29) was at this moment betraying Christ; Their leader - Peter the outspoken - would deny he even knew the Lord; all disciples would fall away that night (Mark 14:27); and their Lord, whom they have spent 3 1/2 years with, will be crucified and then leave them, returning to the Father. How they needed these words of comfort!

After commanding them to love one another and believe in him (Jn 13:34, 14:1), Jesus gives the ultimate comforting promise:

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth...the Helper, the Holy Spirit...will teach you all things..." (Jn 14:16-17a, 26, ESV)

Jesus has promised that after he returns to the Father, the disciples will be given another Helper! Note the word "another." They have had Jesus helping them all along. And now, even though he is leaving them to return to the Father, he will continue to help his people by serving them as their High Priest in heaven forever! If that was not enough to provide comfort, he promised to send ANOTHER Helper, the Holy Spirit! So the disciples (and all believers in Christ) will have Jesus helping in heaven and the Holy Spirit helping on earth; that's a lot of help!

Are you a believer who needs some comfort? Look to the promises of Christ and be comforted:

Jesus is our sympathetic High Priest (Heb 4:14-16), representing us to God in heaven and answering every accusation against us that the Devil brings. He is described as our Advocate in 1 John 2:1. The word translated Advocate in that verse is the same word translated Helper in John 14:16! Jesus is helping us in heaven!

The Holy Spirit is God in us. Helper means 'one who comes alongside.' He is indwelling the believer, filling us as we yield to him (Eph 5:18) and empowering us, coming 'upon' us (Acts 1:8), to be witnesses for Christ and walk in holiness. He is producing in the believer every quality (or 'fruit') that is pleasing to God (Gal 5:22). And he has gifted every believer with a special ability to edify the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:4-11). The Holy Spirit is another Helper, helping us right now on earth!

Become AWARE of your help in God. This is not wishful thinking or the power of positive thinking. These are the promises of God in Scripture! Jesus has removed the wrath of God from us by the sacrifice of himself at the cross, and is ministering in heaven as our High Priest before God; his blood atones for us! And the Holy Spirit has been sent to help the church fulfill our Christ-given mission on earth. Receive these truths and walk in them. And let us thank God for the HELP!!!