Comfort

But the (Comforter), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 

 John 14:26

Jesus’ trip to the cross seemed certain, at first glance, to mire the disciples in hopelessness. As He washed their feet in the upper room the final night of his life, He predicted Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denial and His impending departure, He most certainly caused great waves of fear to ripple through their very beings.

 Yet He managed words of comfort as well, words like: “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later” (John 13:36b); “I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:3b). Then He did something totally amazing. He promised to ask the Father for a gift, the gift of the Spirit to live in each one of those who love Jesus (John 14:15-21). Jesus was not destined to remain on earth forever: “I tell you the truth: it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the (Comforter) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you” (John 16:7).

A radical thought. And Jesus calls the Spirit the Comforter! What more could you want—THE Comforter, on board. The expectation of earthly comfort has just been raised to a new level.

What will be the marks of comfort? Let’s list a few:

·         He is “the Spirit of truth”. John 14:17

·         “He will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26

·         “He will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment.” John 16:8

·         “He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known you.” John 16:13-14

·         If you live by the Spirit, the “fruit of the Spirit” will ripen in you. Galatians 5:16-25

·         We do not know what to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express…in accordance with God’s will. Romans 8:26-27

 I don’t know about you, but I certainly am comforted by knowing that Jesus did not abandon me to the wiles of the world. Spirit, I release my troubles and fears to You, knowing full well You will encircle me with the convicting truths of the Father.

Nancy P