The lesson from March 7 focused on the truth that God reveals Himself to us through three distinct Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. John 14:16-20 quotes the words of Jesus regarding the promise of the Holy Spirit. For context I will revisit my notes from the previous lesson summary: “In verses 16-20, Jesus continues to reassure the disciples that even though He must leave they will not be left alone. The Counselor (Holy Spirit) will come and will never leave them. The Greek term parakletos refers to one who will come alongside. The Spirit is our helper, advocate, comforter, and counselor. Note Jesus says they will be given “another Counselor.” The Spirit will assume much the same role that Jesus did. We also see that He is the Spirit of truth. The disciples can faithfully follow the direction of the Spirit who lives in them because He will not lead them to any form of error.” While the March 7 lesson emphasis was on the work and enabling of the Spirit this week’s lesson is related to another facet of the Spirit’s work as He directs our attention to Christ. This week’s lesson also develops in greater depth how the Holy Spirit guides us to the truth and away from error. Believers should also deflect attention away from self to another. As believers our spiritual gifts are exercised to build the church and direct all glory and honor to God.
John 15:26-27 Again in these verses Jesus promises that the Counselor will come. He had spoken earlier about how the world would hate and oppose them. The disciples had been with Jesus through His three years of ministry. They had sat under His teaching and seen His miracles, yet they lacked full understanding. Jesus emphasizes that the Holy Spirit is a full part of the Trinity. He says here that the Spirit is sent or proceeds from the Father (and the Son). The commentary from the Leader Guide says it this way: “the Spirit serves as an active part of the Godhead, working in unison with the Father and Son to expand the kingdom on earth.” (BSFL Senior Adult Leader Guide, 71) As the Spirit of truth, He will continue to teach the disciples and remind them of Jesus’ teachings.
We’ve seen the term counselor used again here, which in our context reminds us of an attorney’s role in a legal setting. Jesus uses another legal term – “testify.” Just as the Spirit bears testimony of Jesus the disciples are tasked to do the same. They can do so because they have been with Jesus from the beginning of His ministry. I’m no lawyer but I’ve watched enough TV to know that “hearsay testimony” is not admissible in court. A true witness may only testify as to what he or she has seen and heard. So the Holy Spirit affirms and gives testimony of Christ to the believer, the believer will affirm and give testimony of Christ to the world. Jesus affirms their qualification to testify because they can give a firsthand account of what they have experienced. We who have a relationship with Jesus can do the same. I Peter exhorts the reader to always be prepared to defend the reason for the hope that resides in their heart (I Peter 3:15).
I went a little long on the first part, so I’ll try and be a little succinct with the rest of this. Verses 7-11 transition to the next phase of God’s plan. Jesus coming in bodily form made our redemption possible and with that the hope of eternal life. Jesus would have to leave in order for the disciples to continue and grow in their faith. Jesus in bodily form placed upon Himself the constraints of time and place. But the Holy Spirit had no such boundaries. He could be present with any believer, in any place, and at any time.
Jesus continues describing the Spirit’s work of conviction. For the believer, who has the Spirit’s presence we know the sense of conviction of sin. Convict is yet another legal term. Conviction here relates to confronting someone with facts in an effort to get them to acknowledge the truth. We might say the Spirit convinces the world of sin. Verse 9 Jesus says they do not believe the facts and consequences of sin because they do not believe in Him.
The next work is to convict unbelievers of Christ’s righteousness (v.10). He leads them to see the truth of who Jesus is. Some would have doubted Jesus’ righteousness since the Father allowed Him to be arrested, beaten, and put to death. His resurrection and ascension to the Father would be a proof that He is righteous and acceptable to God. The third part is to convict the world of judgment. Why? Because “the ruler of this world has been judged” (v. 11). Satan was ultimately defeated by the cross and resurrection. His fate was sealed. Unfortunately, others will reject Christ as well and they will face the eternal consequences of their choice. The unbeliever who sees no consequence for their unbelief will have little reason to change.
In verses 12-15 Jesus has so very much more to tell them. But there is not enough time, and the disciples would be overwhelmed by what He would say. Jesus reminds them again that the Spirit is truth just as the Father and Son are truth. The Spirit will guide them and help keep them firmly planted in what is true. The Spirit (v. 13) would also tell them “what is to come.” In Revelation 1:4, 1:8, and 4:8 we see a parallel idea as God is named as the One who was, who is, and who is to come. Also, at this point the writing of the New Testament was still to come. The Spirit would help believers to discern the meaning of events and related Apostolic teaching as it unfolded. The lesson truth is reenforced here in verse 14. “The Holy Spirit magnifies the work of Jesus.” The Spirit glorifies/exalts the Son as He continues to declare the same truths that Jesus had lived and proclaimed in front of the disciples.
Verse 15 closes this week’s lesson drawing a direct line to the Father. The teachings of Jesus were directly from the Father, and the Spirit continues that uninterrupted line through His revelation. We can rest assured as the Spirit speaks into our lives that what He says will always be in alignment with and conform to God’s character and Word. The Spirit’s presence is as vital today as it was 2,000 years ago. He is also our Counselor, Advocate, Helper, and Comforter. The same Spirit that preserved the truth through time will guide us to discern truth from error today.
With the lesson truth in mind: The Holy Spirit magnifies the work of Jesus.
· What are some means by which the Holy Spirit reveals God’s truth to us today?
· What yardsticks do we use to measure whether what we are hearing is from the Spirit or something else?
· Will the Holy Spirit ever lead us to magnify or elevate anyone or anything other than Jesus?
· Do you recall a time when you have witnessed someone fall away from truth or be led into error? How might that person have been restored? What would you have done to direct them back to truth?
