The Believer’s Helper

The disciples were grieved during their last meal as Christ spoke of leaving them and began to give them final instructions. In the midst of their sorrow, he encouraged them with a remarkable promise: “It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you” (John 16:7, emphasis mine). Jesus was leaving but he promised to send a helper.

The term Helper in John 16 refers to the Holy Spirit and is the translation of the Greek word paracletos. English doesn’t have an exact equivalent for this word which literally means “the one called to the side of.” It has been translated as Comforter (KJV), Advocate (NIV, NLT), Friend (The Message), and Helper (ESV). In other Greek literature paracletos meant a legal advocate, someone who stands before a judge to defend the accused. In this sense the Holy Spirit stands with another and pleads for them.

Jesus uses paracletos four times in the Gospel of John (John 14:15-21, 25f; 15:26; 16:5-11). In this devotional we will translate it as Helper. Jesus encouraged his disciples not to have troubled hearts. He promised that God would send them another helper in his place. The Holy Spirit is not a different kind of helper; he is another helper like Jesus. He is personal, not an impersonal power. He is deity, not some created force. He shares Jesus’s characteristics—holy, loving, truthful, all-powerful, and compassionate.

Jesus promised his disciples that he would not leave them alone like orphans (John 14:18). They were not to be troubled or afraid because the Holy Spirit would be their helper just as he is ours today. In the next few days we will consider some of the many ways the Spirit can help us with our daily needs.

Reflection

Are there things in your life that threaten to overwhelm you? Are there areas where you long for someone to help you? Prayerfully ask God to remind you that you are not an orphan, you are not alone. Ask the Father to free you from fear and a troubled heart. Thank him that you have a helper, comforter, friend, and advocate in the Holy Spirit.