Chapter 2
The Blessed Helper
I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter” (John 14:16). “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost.” (John 14:26); “But when the Comforter is come.” (John15:26); “If I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you.” (John 16:7). I have been greatly interested in the word “another” that is used in connection with the Holy Ghost as the Comforter. Whatever the word “Comforter” may mean, Jesus fulfilled it all. But now, He is about to depart from His disciples, yet He will not leave them orphans. Another is to supersede Him. The three chapters of John, embracing thirteen to seventeen, should be read in the light of the betrayal, with Calvary crowding upon the dawn of tomorrow. The expression. “Comforter” is used only four times as the name for the Holy Spirit. It is significant to note that each time it is in connection with the betrayal and crucifixion of our Lord. The Greek word for “Comforter” is sometimes translated into English as paraclete — even then we are unable to fully understand the mysteries of its meaning. The best authority defines the word as a HELPER, a SUCCORER, an AIDER, and an ASSISTANT. But the best interpretation is that of a personal HELPER. Jesus was going away, and His beloved disciples stood in need of a personal helper.
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I. THEY NEEDED HELP IN TIME OF DISCOURAGEMENT The disciples hoped that the Master would strike from their necks the yoke of Roman domination, and set up a world rule, which was the very opposite of that which Jesus came to accomplish. As another Helper, the Holy Ghost was to stand close beside these disciples, and direct them in the way they should go. Every Spirit-filled person will meet discouragements and disappointments along the way of life. Yet, the Spirit as our personal Helper, will sustain and comfort the weary-worn, dust covered, fearfully misunderstood, and disappointed Christian. Jesus met these same discouragements that every Christian will meet, and came forth wearing a Victor’s crown.
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II. THE SPIRIT WILL HELP US IN RECALLING THE PAST “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said un to you.” He brought to the minds of the disciples, the things that Jesus had spoken to them during His earthly ministry. The blessed Helper brought to their minds the tenderness, the compassion, the understanding, the love and the severity of Jesus. Oh, how we need this Divine Helper to understand the deep truths of the Bible! This blessed Comforter will direct our feet in the way of truth. How He will illuminate our understanding, and bring back the precious things which we have heard. It is upon these past truths, that we may feed our souls in time of drouth.
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III. THE SPIRIT HELPS US IN OUR QUEST FOR TRUTH “He will guide you into all truth.” Doubtless the truth referred to here is the truth that saves men from sin — it is the most important truth. The Christian is forever a truth seeker. Dr. Parker said that Adam Clarke was the greatest scholar in a thousand years. Dr. Clarke said, “One who is filled with the Holy Ghost may acquire more knowledge in any given branch of learning in one month, than another of like caliber and equal application can acquire in twelve months without the Spirit.” Oh, Divine Helper, take us deeper into this glorious saving truth — that saves men from all sin!
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IV. THE HOLY SPIRIT HELPS US TO BEAR WITNESS FOR CHRIST “And ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” The Master said, “Even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: and ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning. The Spirit does not speak of Himself, but He takes peculiar delight in magnifying Christ. On the day of Pentecost, one hundred and twenty believers were filled with the blessed Spirit and went everywhere bearing a warm and glowing testimony for Christ and His resurrection. The Spirit urges us to witness for Christ in the home, in the shop, in the church, in rendering Christian service, such as ringing door bells, visiting the unchurched, binding up the broken hearted, encouraging the discouraged, comforting the dying, and radiating Him to the ends of the earth. What a privilege to witness for Him!
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V. THE SPIRIT IS OUR HELPER IN PRAYER Paul says, “For we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” The Holy Spirit catches up the inexpressible desires, the unuttered longings of the heart, the tears, the groans, and bears them away to the throne of grace. The Spirit puts burdens upon the heart that cannot be uttered with human lips, and wafts them across the distance of space to the blessed heart of our Lord. There are groanings that cannot be uttered — desires that cannot be expressed — feelings that cannot be interpreted on a human basis. Oh, glorious Spirit that takes these inexpressible feelings and longings of the soul to the Father! No one needs to go without this Divine Helper!
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VI. THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES THE PROPHETIC VISION “He will shew you things to come.” Here is the great secret of Christian optimism. The Spirit helps us to look up, and over, and beyond to the final triumph of Christ. The present looks dark and discouraging — the world is full of sorrow, disappointments ride on every breeze, whilesin-burdened, habit-bound and disobedient humanity marches toward the rapids of utter destruction. What shall the Christian do? Thank God, this personal Helper inspires us to look beyond the present state of things, to the land of a better day. Oh, Thou glorious Helper, who will finally lead us home!