You Are Not Alone
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never
leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot
receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you
know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.
John 14:16-17 NLT
The word advocate also means comforter, encourager, or counselor. The Greek word is paraclete. It comes from two words, para and kleous, which when combined, mean “called alongside.” The Holy Spirit has a specific assignment, or a calling, to be a Helper, Mentor, Coach, Intercessor, Partner, Comforter, and Counselor alongside us.
Jesus had frequently forewarned the disciples that He would be leaving them, and now as they were spending their final hours in the Upper Room, He was reminding them that the time He had spoken of had arrived. Can you even fathom how devastated the disciples must have felt? I’m sure the disciples were in a state of sadness and anxiety. In fact, John 14:2 tells us that Jesus was aware of their disturbed hearts.
Imagine having walked with Jesus for three years. You saw the miracles He performed. You heard Him teach in parables to the world, but He shared the inside secrets with you. You had intimate knowledge about God’s Kingdom and were considered part of Jesus’ inner circle. He trained you for three years in the ministry, and his voice was the only one you had followed. Jesus was the person you depended upon entirely, and you had become accustomed to His physical presence. How would you feel?
Think about it this way…you are getting ready for the Super Bowl, the National Spelling Bee, or some other important event, and the person who taught and coached you along the way, the person who kept you on the right track is no longer going to be with you. Your desire to win the game, the spelling bee, or even succeed in that important event did not disappear. But you wonder how you will get through it without your coach, mentor, or teacher.
Instead of focusing on the events that would happen in a matter of days: being arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, tried six times within eight hours, falsely accused, beaten beyond recognition, denied by a disciple, exchanged for a guilty person, despised and rejected by those who earlier cried, “Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord,” and crucified with sinners, Jesus took the time to teach the disciples about the Holy Spirit. He wanted the disciples to know that everything they believed he had been to them would not be lost; they would never be left alone. The disciples needed to know that Jesus was sending them another Comforter, Coach, Teachers, Mentor, Helper, and Advocate.
Just think about how significant the Holy Spirit’s ministry must have been to Jesus! Consider how He spent his last days with the disciples and the importance of the subject matter. He knew neither the disciples nor the church thrives without the Holy Spirit’s assistance. And since Jesus prioritized this subject, we must also give it as much weight.
Reflect
Do you value your relationship with the Holy Spirit as Jesus intended? Do you realize that you are never alone? Whatever your answers, make it your priority in the days ahead to learn how to cooperate with the Holy Spirit’s work in your life on a deeper level than you ever have before!
Prayer
Father God, I admit that I have not prioritized a close relationship with You through acknowledging Holy Spirit and His role in my life. I was oblivious to how much I needed the Holy Spirit’s guidance in my life. Forgive me for the times I have easily dismissed Your wisdom through the Holy Spirit. I let my guard down and invite You into every area of my life. I surrender to Your power and declare that the Spirit of God supernaturally leads me. Thank You for being my Mentor, Coach, Teacher, Helper, Advocate, Counselor, and Comforter. I pray in Jesus’ name.
Upcoming Connect 21 Events
- Prayer 201, Wednesday, Jan 11th via Zoom
- Saturday Morning Prayer (Jan 14th @ 9 am at The Way UMC – Latimer Hall)
- Sunday Morning Service (Jan 15th @ 10 am at River Ridge High School)