To this point in his Gospel, Jesus has not spoken very much about the Holy Spirit. We should not, however, assume that there is no presence of the Holy Spirit. The fact that this Gospel and all of the scriptures has been written and preserved throughout time and history is the absolute evidence of the inspiring and preserving work of the Holy Spirit. As the Apostle Peter stated, “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20,21).
The presence of the Spirit is evident throughout the Gospel, most notably in His discourse with Nicodemus describing Him as the wind or breath of God (John 3:1-21) and with the Samaritan woman at the well, describing the work of God as “...in Spirit and in truth”, and the water of life that Jesus gives (John 4:1-24). Thus far, the Holy Spirit has been spoken of as one who works miracles and brings evidence of the ministry of Jesus. Now Jesus is going away, to the cross, to resurrection, and to heaven. He has been the absolute strength and substance of His disciples. To be without Him, would be their absolute downfall. Jesus will now expand their understanding of a mission that is not limited to their lives, but one which will reach to the edges of the earth."
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January 18, 2015 | Pastor John Bayles | Before I Leave You: The Coming Advocate | John 14:15-27
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