Email from Abiding Place Daily Bread – April 26, 2025 (The Seventh Day – Genesis 2:1-3) John 14:16 – And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Paraclete, Who will remain with you forever. Jesus Introduces Our Earthly Helper Jesus is our parakletos, intercessor, and helper in Heaven, but the Holy Spirit is our parakletos, intercessor, and helper on Earth. The Holy Spirit is called our Parakletos four times by John (14:16, 26, 15:26, 16:7; 1 John 2:1). The Greek word used to describe this intimate connection we have with the Holy Spirit is παράκλητος (parakletos). This particular Greek word is rarely used anywhere in Greek literature. It is not found in the Septuagint, so there is no true Hebrew equivalent. The word can be understood as “the one called to someone’s aid.” What truly defines the meaning of ‘parakletos’ is the ministry of Jesus. Jesus likens the Parakletos to come as like unto Himself. Jesus, Who was a ‘parakletos’, announces another ‘parakletos’ like Himself, Who would come to take His place in the lives of His disciples (John 14:16). The Parakletos Jesus said He would send is the Holy Spirit, Who would come to be with us and in us. Christ Jesus would be our Parakletos in His heavenly ministry, while the Holy Spirit would be our Parakletos in His earthly ministry. Although this alternate name for the Holy Spirit is only used four times, it is how Christ Jesus affectionately introduced Him. He chose this title of the Holy Spirit invoking the most intimate and loving care for those who trust in Jesus. By this title, Jesus introduced the Holy Spirit Who would be our Teacher and Helper, in an even more intimate way than Jesus was to the disciples. We can understand from Scripture how the Holy Spirit as Parakletos is the One Who establishes in our lives all Jesus purchased for us in His so great salvation. The Holy Spirit is the One Who encourages us to be everything God has described us to be. He is the One Who brings to pass all God has declared about our lives. Many have linguistically limited ‘paracletos’ to “advocate” or “helper.” Certainly, this has value in addressing Who the Holy Spirit is, but these words do not really complete the context. To understand the Paracletos, we must understand Jesus as a Paracletos to His disciples. More than anything else, He was the Teacher. He was the One Who revealed the Father and made known the will of God. He was the One Who brought Heaven to Earth. Jesus was the One Who showed us the way to the Father. He taught the disciples how to reach the lost. He showed them all the ways of God. Therefore, we can rightfully conclude that Jesus was to the disciples Who the Holy Spirit is to us. Perhaps using the word ‘Parakletos’ was a way to specifically link the Holy Spirit to the exact ministry of Jesus while maintaining the distinction existing between the two. Blessings, Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
Daily Bread 4/26/2025
