John 14:15-17

The word that is translated ‘advocate’ in today’s verses is hard to pin down. Some of us were brought up with the term ‘Counsellor’ which was the word used in the Authorised King James’ version of the Bible. The Greek word literally means ‘someone who is called in alongside’. Undoubtedly, the Holy Spirit is an advocate and he will definitely bring comfort, but we will never find a word which embraces the Spirit’s whole ministry. I like to think of the Holy Spirit as being our supreme friend. He is always with us, continually pointing to Jesus and leading us in the right direction.

One key role that the Spirit plays is to lead us “into all truth”. Earlier in this chapter, we learnt that Jesus is the truth, so the role of the Spirit
is principally to keep us focused on Jesus. The world can be full of lies and half-truths. The truth can be hard to find, and people often choose to hide away from it. So the role of the Spirit in leading us into truth is a continual one.

Jan Hus was a church reformer who lived in the Middle Ages, a century before Martin Luther. He was a man of extraordinary courage and ended his days by being burnt at the stake. He once said: “O faithful Christian, search the truth, hear truth, learn truth, love truth, speak the truth, hold the truth till death.” Like his Lord before him, living a life of truth cost him his life.

In today’s often mucky world, our calling is to centre our lives on the truth of Jesus and to seek the Holy Spirit’s continual friendship as we
live in the light of it. As the famous Victorian preacher, Charles Spurgeon, once commented: “It is in the way of truth that true peace is found.”

QUESTION
In what particular ways do you need the Holy Spirit to lead you today?

PRAYER
Loving God, please fill me with your Holy Spirit today so that all that I do will bring praise to the name of your son Jesus. Amen

Released on 3 Aug 2023