The Comforter

⁷Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
-John 16:7 (KJV)


Have you ever thought about how life would be without the Holy Spirit? What if Jesus came, died and rose again, and that was all? But, thankfully, there is more. Jesus tells His disciples that it is "expedient for you that I go away:" In other words, it's practical that He goes away. Why? "for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you." Jesus was promising them, and us today, that He will send the Comforter after He departs. The Greek word for Comforter is Parakletos which is defined as:

1. one who pleads another's cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant, an advocate one who pleads another's cause with one, an intercessor of Christ in his exaltation at God's right hand, pleading with God the Father for the pardon of our sins in the widest sense, a helper, succourer, aider, assistant of the Holy Spirit destined to take the place of Christ with the apostles (after his ascension to the Father), to lead them to a deeper knowledge of the gospel truth, and give them divine strength needed to enable them to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine kingdom summoned, called to one's side, esp. called to one's aid.* The Holy Spirit is our advocate before the Father. The Holy Spirit would lead them to a deeper knowledge, would give strength to undergo trials. The Holy Spirit is called to our side and our aid. 

There are so many things the Spirit does for us. We'll look at some of those this week. In the meantime, are you allowing the Spirit to work in your life? Have you received the Comforter? Think About It.

1. *source:  http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/parakletos.html