John 13-16 is a lengthy account of the night Jesus was betrayed. In essence these four chapters are spent discussing Judas’ betrayal with the result that Jesus would die. He gave His apostles instructions regarding many things during a time which would not likely have been more than 6-7 hours. One of the things He frequently mentioned was the coming of the Holy Spirit whom Jesus called the “Comforter,” “Spirit of Truth,” and the “Holy Spirit.” Five sections in three of these chapters (14-16) deal with different things regarding the Holy Spirit: 14:16-17; 14:25-26; 15:26-27; and, 16:7-15. Jesus discussed many things about the Comforter ranging from His names, the purpose of His coming; the effects He would have on the world, how He would help the apostles, how He would bear witness of Jesus, and the length of time He would be with the apostles.
All the gospel accounts record something about the Spirit’s coming. All cite the fact that while John baptized in water, Jesus would baptize in the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33). The reference to the coming of the Holy Spirit was based upon a prophecy of Joel (Joel 2:28) centuries before, and which Peter said was fulfilled with the events of Pentecost (Acts 2:15-21).
The Lord’s words to the apostle that fateful night turned their world upside down. The revelation that a betrayer was in their midst at first made them apprehensive about themselves, and then a desire that the betrayer be identified to them. Jesus’ words that He was going away left them saddened and distressed. Before this night He had told the disciples that He would “be delivered up into the hands of men; and they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised up …” (Matthew 17:23). Jesus’ sign to His nation was His death and resurrection (John 2:19-22). But although the apostles had been warned He would be killed their heart recoiled at such a thought, and now that Jesus tells them that hour has come they found it difficult to be comforted by His assurance He would be raised from the dead. They felt helpless and orphaned. Jesus knew their feelings of helplessness and sorrow. He assured them they would not be left as “orphans” because He would send a Comforter to them (John 14:16).
Jesus assured these men that although He would return to the Father, He would pray the Father to give them another Comforter (Helper) who would always be with them. He had instructed them but knew there was much more He wished to teach them. Yet, even had He had time to do that, He knew that they could not bear that teaching then (John 16:12). He told them the Holy Spirit would supply that which was lacking in their knowledge. This Helper would teach them all things; He would bring to their remembrance all that He had spoken unto them (John 14:26). Not only would the Spirit help them in these two important things, He would declare to them the things which were to come (John 16:13). The apostles would be comforted when the Comforter would teach them things they had not been instructed in by Jesus when He was them on the earth. They were assured the Comforter “would not speak from himself, but whatsoever things He heard, these shall he speak” (John 16:13-15). In addition to this, they were told that when they were “delivered up” to their adversaries they were not to be “anxious beforehand what ye shall speak; but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour that speak ye; for it is not ye that speaketh, but the Holy Spirit” (Mark 13:11). They were assured the Holy Spirit would be with them forever (John 14:16).
The work of the Spirit is abiding. The Scriptures are given by God through the Holy Spirit for Peter wrote, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of scriptures is of private interpretation. For no prophecy ever came by the will of man, but men spoke from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20-21). The Holy Spirit moved upon men to “grant unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). Paul assured us that “every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness: that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Holy Spirit has completed His work of revelation just as Jesus completed His work of redemption.
The Holy Spirit continues His work in the hearts of men today. Just as when the Spirit was given to the apostles, so He continues that same work. The difference is that He worked then through inspired men. Today He works through their inspired words. He did then, He does now bear witness of Jesus (John 15:26) and He glorifies the Son (John 16:14). Just as Jesus is always with us, so is the Holy Spirit. Through His work of revelation, sinners can still be convicted that Jesus is God’s Son; that He came to this world and offered Himself a sacrifice for sinful man; that He arose from the grave; and, that He ascended into heaven and triumphantly sat down at the right hand of His Father.
The apostles were truly blessed by the Spirit who worked with them and in them. And, so also are we.
Jim McDonald