May 25, 2022
ANOTHER ADVOCATE Jesus sought to comfort His disciples by explaining that although He must return to the Father, He would send “another Advocate” to be with them always. The Greek word translated, “Advocate,” is “Paraklētos,” which literally means, “one called alongside.” It might also be translated, “Helper” or “Comforter.” Jesus identified this “Advocate” as the
May 24, 2022
ARE YOUR QUESTIONS FOR UNDERSTANDING OR DEBATE? Some would say that the member of the Twelve named Thomas was slow to believe. But would we have Christ’s response without his questions? Jesus was not offended by the question, but was pleased to answer, knowing that Thomas was honest in his inquiry. For unlike the Pharisees,
May 25, 2021
BECAUSE HE LIVES Jesus encouraged His disciples with the promise of His resurrection life. For in His coming resurrection, He would provide for them both proof and pledge of their own resurrection and life. Because He lives we have proof that Christ is the Victor over sin, death and the grave. The tomb is
May 24, 2020
ARE YOUR FAITH QUESTIONS FOR UNDERSTANDING OR DEBATE? Some would say that the member of the Twelve named Thomas was slow to believe. But would we have Christ’s response without his question? Jesus was not offended by the question, but was pleased to answer, knowing that Thomas was honest in his inquiry. For his question
May 25, 2019
BECAUSE HE LIVES Jesus encouraged His disciples with the promise of His resurrection life. For in His coming resurrection, He would provide for them both proof and pledge of their own resurrection and life. Because He lives we have proof that Christ is the Victor over sin, death and the grave. Since He lives,
May 25, 2018
THE SPIRIT IS ANOTHER OF THE SAME KIND
Jesus sought to comfort His disciples by explaining that although He must return to the Father, He would send “another Advocate” to be with them always. In the Greek, the word “Advocate” is “Paraklētos,” which literally means, “one called alongside.” It might also be translated, “Helper” or “Comforter.” This “Advocate” is the Holy Spirit.
If the Greek word “Paraklētos” is revealing, then the Greek word translated “another” is perhaps even more so. For there are two words translated “another” in the Greek. The first word is “eteros,” which has the meaning of “another” of different character. For example: “I’d rather have ‘another’ piece of fruit, like an apple instead of an orange.” But the Greek word used by Jesus was “allos,” which means “another” of the same kind. As in, “May I have ‘another’ apple?”
Why is this significant? Because Jesus was making the point that the Advocate is “another” of the same character as He. Jesus, the Son of God, was sent by the Father. Now, as He returned to the Father, He would ask the Father to send “another” of the same kind to be with His disciples. The Father, the Son and the Spirit are of the same kind. As the hymn declares, “God in three persons, blessed Trinity.”
This is why the apostle Paul referred to the Holy Spirit as both the “Spirit of God” and the “Spirit of Christ” in the same verse (Rom. 8:9). For if we have received Christ as our Lord and Savior, then we have received His Spirit, which is “another” of the same kind. So, we are able to say along with the apostle Paul, “Christ in us, the hope of glory!” (Col. 1:27). For in Christ, the “Paraklētos” lives in us!
May 24, 2018
STOP WORRYING. START TRUSTING.
The disciples were troubled in heart when Jesus talked about His impending departure from them. They were anxious and fearful about the future. But Jesus told them to replace their fear with faith.
Is your heart troubled today? You may not know what tomorrow holds, but you know who holds tomorrow. Stop worrying and start trusting in Jesus.
May 25, 2016
“Orphans.” The Greek word here is the origin of our English word: “ὀρφανός, orphanos.” It can mean “parentless, fatherless, bereaved” or as in the KJV, “comfortless.” Which in this context seems most fitting. Jesus will not leave us “comfortless,” for he will send a Comforter. He was letting his disciples know that he would no longer be with them bodily, but would be with them in the Spirit. The promise he made to his disciples that he would “come to you” is already being fulfilled. This is not his future return when he will come again bodily. This “coming” is already here. The Spirit of Christ, the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, the Comforter is present and available. We have not been left “as orphans.” He is with us.
May 25, 2015
The peace that Jesus offers is not only a cessation of hostilities between times of war, but a sense of well-being in our souls that is a down payment on its future completion in all creation. Jesus had the Hebrew idea of peace in mind, which is called “shalom.” According to Strong’s Concordance, the word shalom means “completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety, soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord.” Jesus doesn’t offer this peace as the world does. His peace is perfect and eternal. Those that receive His peace have put away worry and fear.
May 24, 2011
What Jesus said to His disciples. What did Jesus do that we are called to do? How does His going to the Father cause our doing to be even greater? Are you involved in “greater things” for Jesus?