What a great privilege it was for the disciples to have Jesus with them to help with their needs! How lost they must have felt when He left, but then the Holy Spirit came to be their Helper, just as He is ours today. Having Jesus still living in Palestine would be great, but how much better is it that He now lives inside each one of us. He is always available, always with us. Yet often we don’t understand the great resource we have. Let’s look at what it means to say that the Spirit is our Helper.
Jesus’ favorite name for the Holy Spirit, used more than any other, is “Helper” (also translated “Comforter,” “Counselor”). When He came to earth as a human, Jesus voluntarily laid aside the use of His Godly attributes that would have made His life easier, so He could face what we face with the same limits we have (Philippians 2:5-9). How was He then to function as God in knowing men’s hearts, performing miracles and providing salvation for all? He did it through the power, the help of the Holy Spirit who is also available to help us with whatever we face.
The Spirit was the power force behind Virgin Birth (Luke 1:35). He brought Jesus to manhood (Luke 2:40,45) and came upon Him in a special way when He was Baptized so He could carry out His God-assigned work of redemption (Luke 3:21-22). He led Jesus into the wilderness and filled Him so He could face temptation by Satan (Luke 4:1). For three and a half years He was the power behind Jesus’ ministry (Luke 4:14, 18). Jesus’ miracles were done by His power (Matthew 12:28).
The Spirit helped Jesus His whole life. The Bible says Jesus was led by the Spirit (Luke 4:1), filled with the Spirit (Luke 4:1; John 3:34-35), anointed by the Spirit (Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38; Hebrews 1:9), empowered by the Spirit (Matthew 12:18) and rejoiced in the Spirit (Luke 10:21).
The Spirit also assisted in His atoning work on the cross (Hebrews 9:14). He was the power force that brought Jesus back to life (Romans 8:1-2; 1 Timothy 3:16; Romans 1:4; 8:11; 1 Peter 3:18). He guarantees our victory over death, too.
The Greek word used to describe the helping work of the Spirit is “parakaleo” and literally means “someone who is called alongside.” Have you ever had your car refuse to start and needed a jump? Someone brought their functioning car alongside yours and fastened jumper cables. Then, with their power flowing into your weak battery, you were able to start your car. They came alongside you to help you in your time of need. That’s just what God does by sending His Spirit to help us in our time of need – which is really all the time.
This word is translated “Helper,” “Counselor,” or “Comforter.” John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. Jesus used this name for the Spirit 4 times in the Upper Room Discourse (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:6-7). In Acts 9:31 He is called the “Encourager.” It is the same word as is used for Jesus in 1 John 2:1 where He is called our “Advocate.”
An “advocate” refers to an attorney for the defense. This is true of the Holy Spirit as well as Jesus (1 John 2:1). He takes our side before the Judge, pleading the sacrificial offering of Jesus’ own blood for our sins (1 John 2:2). Suppose you were arrested for a crime. Guilty or innocent, you would want the help of someone who could speak to the judge for you, someone who could intercede on your behalf. You wouldn’t want to face the judge alone. So, too, when Satan accuses us of sin, guilty or innocent, we want the help of Someone who can speak for us. We have that in Jesus (in heaven) and the Holy Spirit (in us). Jesus is our defense attorney when Satan points out our sin to God. He pleads His own blood as payment for that sin. The Spirit comforts us, encourages us and ministers forgiveness and restoration to us. Who could want a better Lawyer?
Greek soldiers always went into battle in pairs. When the enemy attacked, they would stand back-to-back, covering each other’s blind side. One’s battle partner was his “paraclete.” Jesus does not send us to fight alone. The Spirit is our battle partner who covers our blind side and fights for us and with us. We don’t sit around and do nothing, but what we do is done with His help and power.
John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-
John 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you
John 15:26 “When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.
John 16:6-7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
What does it mean to you that the Spirit is always with you, fighting for you and helping you in all you do?
How often do you struggle on your own, thinking God doesn’t care or isn’t helping? Ask Him to forgive you for those times and thank Him for His ever-present help.
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
ChristianTrainingOnline.org
(India, Africa & Spanish Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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