Naturally the disciples were frightened...
Illustration
Naturally the disciples were frightened. Jesus was talking about his leave-taking. They
had left all and followed him, and much of the world did not understand. How could they
possibly survive without the living presence of Jesus with them? He was the glue that
held that unlikely group together.
Jesus told them they need not be troubled, they would not be orphans -- one translation says, "You will not be abandoned." He told them he would send an advocate, the Holy Spirit, to be with them forever. Another word for "advocate" is "helper." He would send them a helper, an enabler, for all that they would face. Jesus told them that this Holy Spirit would teach them everything they needed. What they knew and had learned from Jesus would not be God's last word.
There were more lessons to learn and more truths to discover. The second word he used of the Spirit was reminder. "He will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you." Not only would this Spirit bring new truth but would help them recall so much of what Jesus had said. After Pentecost, which was yet to come, the disciples would be better able to recall and to understand what Jesus had told them and to be open to the new revelations that God would give.
He continued by saying they need not be troubled because he would bring them peace. Shalom was a word they understood well. In the Orient, this term was a greeting and a parting. Jesus would use it after his resurrection. Regardless of the hard days ahead, the Spirit of God would bring the peace of God. Never an absence of trouble -- never an escape from the harshness of the world -- but a second time the Lord would remind them, "Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid" (John 14:27b).
Jesus told them they need not be troubled, they would not be orphans -- one translation says, "You will not be abandoned." He told them he would send an advocate, the Holy Spirit, to be with them forever. Another word for "advocate" is "helper." He would send them a helper, an enabler, for all that they would face. Jesus told them that this Holy Spirit would teach them everything they needed. What they knew and had learned from Jesus would not be God's last word.
There were more lessons to learn and more truths to discover. The second word he used of the Spirit was reminder. "He will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you." Not only would this Spirit bring new truth but would help them recall so much of what Jesus had said. After Pentecost, which was yet to come, the disciples would be better able to recall and to understand what Jesus had told them and to be open to the new revelations that God would give.
He continued by saying they need not be troubled because he would bring them peace. Shalom was a word they understood well. In the Orient, this term was a greeting and a parting. Jesus would use it after his resurrection. Regardless of the hard days ahead, the Spirit of God would bring the peace of God. Never an absence of trouble -- never an escape from the harshness of the world -- but a second time the Lord would remind them, "Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid" (John 14:27b).
