Thoughts for the Day

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you for ever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.....

Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me.

I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

The word "Advocate" appears several times in the Bible and refers to someone who speaks on behalf of another person. The Greek word for this is “Parakletos”, and it refers to one who is an advocate or helper, that is, someone who is called to one’s aid to assist, encourage, or strengthen a person. The word "another", above, is a little puzzling, though. We might ask ourselves, are there two Advocates? However, if we think of the role Jesus had with his disciples all becomes clear. He first called them to follow him, and for three years he taught, nurtured, guided and interceded with his Heavenly Father as an Advocate for them.

Now as his time to leave his disciples (Ascension) draws near, Jesus promises not to leave them alone, but to send the Holy Spirit to those who believe in him (Pentecost). The Spirit will come and dwell in believers permanently after Jesus has departed, and will take on the role Jesus had of an Advocate in his earthly ministry. He will guide not just the first disciples but all who will subsequently follow Him, including us. After Pentecost, the Holy Spirit is God's presence in believer's lives, and as such He offers to:

• Teach us.
• Highlight sin.
• Guide us to repentance.
• Strengthen us.
• Pray for us.

Once Jesus has ascended to the Father we see from the First Epistle of John that Jesus himself is referred to as our Advocate in heaven: "But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." (1 John 2.1). He stands ready before God Himself to be our defence attorney. It is He who pleads our case and intervenes for us as our mediator and high priest (Hebrews 4.14-16). So as Christians we are never alone. When we turn to God, the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ both stand ready to help.

Lord Jesus Christ,
we thank You that You did not leave the Apostles friendless
when You returned to Your Father,
but promised to send the Holy Spirit to help them.
We thank You that this promise was extended
to all who followed You down the centuries,
and lastly to us.
And we thank You that You continue to intercede for us
as Your children at the throne of Grace.
Amen.