Do You Know the Holy Spirit?

May 16, 2023

By Brooke Holt

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:16-17

I don’t know many people who love to ask for help. Yet, I do know many people who absolutely love to help others. As a parent, I would do almost anything to help my children. As a wife, I will go to great lengths to help my husband. When my friends or family members ask for help, I feel honored as it means they trust me enough to ask. The Lord created each one of us with limited capacity. He wants us to ask for help, and he wants us to come alongside others to help them. If asking other people for help is important, how much more important is it to ask the Lord for help?

Jesus is talking to his disciples about another Helper whom the Father will send them after his departure. At this point in the Passover meal, these men are confused and flat out distraught. Jesus told them that one of the disciples was to betray him. He followed that bad news with even worse news: “Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come’” (John 13:33). This Passover meal did not turn out to be the celebration they had anticipated for Jesus was preparing them for an even great Passover. Jesus himself would become the paschal lamb who would give his life on behalf of his people.

Jesus shares this heart wrenching news and then followed it with awesome but confusing news: when he departs from this world, the Father will send them another Helper. Jesus, himself a helper to these men, taught them the truths of God, modelled a faithful life, and empowered them to do the works he had been doing. This other Helper would do the same thing for them but in a different way! Rather than Jesus living among them, he now would live in them through the Holy Spirit. The relationship changed from being external to internal. Even though they would not see him, he would be with them and in them.

Just as Jesus had taught these men God’s truth, so now would the Holy Spirit teach them. Just as Jesus had led them from one town to another and from one group to another, so now the Holy Spirit would lead them. Just as Jesus had given them power to drive out demons, heal the sick, and proclaim the kingdom of God, so now would the Holy Spirit empower them.

The Holy Spirit was “another Helper” but he was and is the same God and would continue the work Jesus began in these men and throughout the world. Humble yourself and seek his help today!

Reflection:

You have been entrusted with this Helper, and he will lead you to know God’s truth, to guide you, and to empower you to live as his child and his disciple. Do you know the Holy Spirit that dwells within you? Are you allowing him to have full access to your heart, mind, and spirit? He would love to lead you into the fullness of life today. We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Related Resource:

Jesus calls the Holy Spirit a "gift" who will guide us, lead us, and empower us. Yet many believers don't experience the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives. This unique Christian small group Bible study provides a space in which we can explore what it truly means to "walk in the Spirit" on a daily basis. The Spirit-Filled Life small group curriculum centers on a 6-part video teaching series examining the life-giving and creative work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Begin to experience the gift today!