Jesus preparing His followers on The Path To Pentecost
The final hours of Jesus' earthy ministry are recorded in The Gospel of John chapters 14-17. These chapters have long been referred to as Jesus' teaching about The Holy Spirit and His ministry. Or, it may be suggested that Jesus is teaching his followers very important truths since he is about to leave them physically.
Jesus tells his followers that "if you love me you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father and He will give you another helper (John 14:15-16)." And we know, as Jesus continues to teach these followers, that the helper is The Holy Spirit (see verse 25).
There are a couple of observations I would like to make about this section of Scripture. First, Jesus tells his followers that he will ask the father for "another helper." There can be no doubt in our minds that what Jesus asks of The Father WILL occur. Our experience of The Holy Spirit in our lives is because Jesus has made this request. Could you ever have more confidence that a request would be granted than when Jesus makes a request to The Father. Take time to embrace the truth that the presence of The Holy Spirit in your life is an answer to the prayer Jesus prayed.
Second, Jesus states that his request is for "another helper (ESV)." The term "another" is an important term to understand. There are 2 words that are translated "another." One term means another of a different kind (heteros) and the other term means another of the same kind (allow). Jesus uses the second term,: another of the same kind.
The context of this chapter is Jesus telling his followers that he is leaving but there will be another (of the same kind) Helper. This helper is another like Jesus in his ministry and presence. The helper (The Holy Spirit) will be like Jesus in character and ministry.
REFLECT: How would your confidence that The Holy Spirit is your privilege because of Jesus' prayer? Be encouraged that the Helper's ministry will be like Jesus' to you.