Jesus’ Paraclete Promise in the Creed
Daily Scripture
John 14:16-18, 26-27
16 I will ask the Father, and he will send another Companion [or Advocate] who will be with you forever. 17 This Companion is the Spirit of Truth, whom the world can’t receive because it neither sees him nor recognizes him. You know him, because he lives with you and will be with you.
18 “I won’t leave you as orphans. I will come to you.
26 The Companion, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I told you.
27 “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I give to you not as the world gives. Don’t be troubled or afraid.
Daily Reflection & Prayer
DID YOU KNOW?
In Biblical Greek, paraklētos had multiple English analogs. “The word [paraklētos] is formally… “one called alongside” (especially to give assistance in a court), and so an “advocate”…. the functions John attributed to ‘the Paraclete’ are primarily teaching, revealing and interpreting Jesus to the disciples.” * English translators most often used Helper, Advocate, Comforter and Counselor for paraklētos. The Common English Bible rendered it as “Companion,” with “Advocate” as a footnoted alternative.
The Nicene Creed focused on Jesus in the year 325, because Arius said Jesus was less than God. But Jesus’ teaching made it vital to also honor the Holy Spirit as God, which a Council in 381 finalized in the Creed. The Hebrew Scriptures often hinted at the three persons of the one God (cf. Psalm 51:9-13, 139:5-10, Isaiah 11:1-3, Joel 2:27-29). Before his crucifixion, Jesus told the disciples he was not abandoning them. He said the Holy Spirit was the “paraclete” (see note above), a Companion like him yet different.
- Jesus described the Holy Spirit as a teacher who will reinforce and apply his teachings. The Holy Spirit did not and does not replace Jesus, but rather, in a way beyond our full understanding, is Jesus’ presence with us, now and to the end of time and space (“forever”—verse 16). In a recent challenge or decision, how might actively seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance have shaped your approach? What can help you regularly “tune in” to the Spirit’s teaching in your daily life?
- Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I give to you not as the world gives. Don’t be troubled or afraid” (verse 27). They could have that peace even when facing hostile threats (cf. Mark 13:9-11). Has the kind of “peace” the world offers left you feeling empty and purposeless? How might your daily life change if you actively sought Jesus’ wisdom and peace, given through the Holy Spirit, in your decisions, relationships, and challenges?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you promised, “I won’t leave you as orphans, I will come to you.” Thank you for always being my Companion and Comforter, even when my circumstances seem the hardest. Amen.
GPS Insights
Valerie Nagel
Valerie Nagel, who serves as a Connection and Care Pastor at Resurrection Leawood, wrote today's Insights. A Californian by birth, her Master of Divinity degree is from Duke Divinity School. She served in the Rio Texas Conference from 2011 in the Austin area and San Antonio. From congregational care and welcoming guests to leading in worship, Valerie loves the local church's ministry. She juggles ministry with being a mom to Caleb (born 2012) and Jacob (born 2015), friend, avid reader, lover of the outdoors, beginner in CrossFit, and foodie.
“I won’t leave you as orphans.” These words feel like a cozy warm blanket in the winter or a cool pool in the summertime. There is something that feels so good about being able to sink into the safety of God’s love. Some of us are grieving the loss of a loved one and the idea that God won’t leave us in that loneliness and ache brings a sense of relief. Some of us have lost a friendship and the heartbreak hurts so much. Knowing that God is with us helps with the heartache. Some of us don’t have friends to call when life feels challenging. Whether vulnerability feels scary or work keeps us too busy to build friendships or past betrayals make it hard to trust anyone new, we feel alone. But we are never alone. Today’s passage from John reminds us that God is always with us. I need the good news that God’s love and presence are steadfast. The Disciples and early believers needed it too.
This passage comes just after Jesus has washed his Disciples feet and before he was arrested and crucified. He was giving his Disciples hope even when they couldn’t understand what was coming. He was giving them hope to hold onto when he was crucified. That hope was also something to hold onto after he was raised from the dead. It was good news that Jesus had been raised, but he did not remain with the Disciples. He ascended to God, the Father. The good news of the Spirit coming was that the Spirit could be with all the believers. The Spirit continues to be with all of us.
I need God’s peace as much as I need God’s presence. While it’s often hard for me to understand what peace is, so often I can feel what isn’t peaceful. Just as I feel safe and fulfilled when I turn towards God’s Spirit, remembering that I am never alone, I know that God’s peace isn’t the busyness or anxiousness that fills so many of my days. It is when I make time to be quiet at home or in nature or in one of our Chapels that I remember that God’s love and Spirit are always with me. When I’m trying to hold onto the illusion of control I miss out on the rest and comfort and joy that I can find in being in relationship with God. I don’t have to do anything to earn God’s peace or love. I simply have to remember that God is with me. It is God who makes peace possible. I have the opportunity each and every single day to turn towards God. To open my heart to God’s presence with me.
I am praying that we can all remember that God is with us, always. I’m also praying that we can remember God makes peace possible. May we choose to open our hearts and lives to God. May we abide in God’s love.
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Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
References
* Max Turner, article “Holy Spirit” in Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1992, p. 349.
