The Gospel of John: John 14.15-31

Read and meditate on John 14.25, 26.
Jesus comes to the point of this discourse: Help is on the way, in the Person of the Holy Spirit.

             ²⁵“I have said these things to you while yet
with you. ²⁶The Holy Spirit, Who will be
your Helper, Whom the Father sends to be
with you in My Name, He will teach you all
things; He will bring to your remembrance all
that I have said to you.”

- John 14.25, 26

Reflect
1.  Jesus described the Holy Spirit as “one who helps, by consoling, encouraging, or mediating on behalf of – Helper, Encourager, Mediator (Louw & Nida). In your experience, why is this an apt way of referring to the Spirit? Complete the following prayer: Truly, Lord, Your Spirit is my Helper, especially as I…

2.  Jesus introduced the Holy Spirit in verses 15-18. He continued that introduction by reminding His disciples of the things He had spoken to them during His time with them, the importance of which He had just re-emphasized (vv. 23, 24). He had taught them many things, but especially things about Himself and the Kingdom of God. How would you summarize Jesus’ teaching about Himself and the Kingdom? Lord Jesus, You command me to seek first Your Kingdom and righteousness, and every day this means…

3.  Clearly, the disciples had not understood all that Jesus had taught them. But the Spirit’s role would be to teach them “these things.” Meditate on Ezekiel 36.26, 27, John 6.63 and 16.8-11, and 1 Corinthians 2.12, 13. How does the Spirit teach us? Where do we need to be if we want to be taught by Him? Holy Spirit, I want You to teach me the things of Jesus, so I…

4.  The Spirit helps us by teaching us the things of Christ. But He also helps us by bringing the things He teaches us to our remembrance. What’s the difference between His work of teaching and His work of bringing to remembrance? How does He bring things to our remembrance? Do believers have a role in this as a way of showing their love for one another? Explain. Lord Jesus, help me to be always alert to when Your Spirit wants to…

5.  Recall our questions about praying in Jesus’ Name (vv. 13, 14). Since the Father sends the Spirit in Jesus’ Name (v. 26), should we expect His interests and agenda to be any different from that of the Lord Jesus? Should we expect the Spirit to try to make Himself more of a focus than Jesus? Explain. Bring together your prayers from questions 1-4 into one prayer.

Summary
“That the Holy Spirit then is sent in the Son’s name, by the Father, shows that he is in unity with the Son: from this he is said also to be the Spirit of the Son and to make those sons [children] by adoption who are willing to receive him. The Holy Spirit who then comes in the name of the Son from the Father shall teach those who are established in the faith of Christ all things—all things that are spiritual, that is, both the understanding of truth and the sacrament of wisdom. But he will teach, not like those who have acquired an art or knowledge by study and industry but as being the very art, doctrine, knowledge itself. As being this himself, the Spirit of truth will impart the knowledge of divine things to the mind.” Didymus the Blind (313-398 AD)

How can we know when the Spirit is teaching us and bringing to our remembrance the things Jesus wants us to keep?

Closing Prayer
Show me Your ways, O LORD;
Teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day.
Remember, O LORD, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses,
For they are from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions;
According to Your mercy remember me,
For Your goodness’ sake, O LORD.
Good and upright is the LORD;
Therefore He teaches sinners in the way.
The humble He guides in justice,
And the humble He teaches His way.
All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth,
To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.

Psalm 25.4-10

Psalm 25.4-10 (Festal Song: Revive Thy Work, O Lord)
Make me to know Your ways, teach me Your paths, O Lord!
My Savior, all day long I wait and seek You in Your Word.

Remember mercy, Lord, and steadfast love to me!
And all my sins before You let them not remembered be!

My sins have been of old, Your love is new each day;
According to Your goodness, Lord, regard my sinful way.

Upright and good are You, You lead us in Your way;
The humble You instruct in truth and guide him day by day.

The paths of God are all of love and faithfulness;
All they who keep His covenant the Lord will surely bless.

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.