This devotion is our invitation into deeper fellowship with the Holy Spirit. He is the promised gift we celebrate at Pentecost.
Paraklétos (παράκλητος) is the Greek word John uses in recording Jesus’ teaching on the Holy Spirit. It only occurs 5 times in the New Testament (John 14:16, 26, 15:26, 16:7; 1 John 2:1) It is very difficult to find one English word that expresses the full meaning of Paraklétos. We will spend these few days looking at the various translations of this word and how each word speaks to the person of the Holy Spirit.
DAY 5 • HOLY SPIRIT: ANOTHER ADVOCATE
PAUSE IN HIS PRESENCE
Take 1-2 minutes of stillness and silence to focus your scattered senses on the presence of God.
READ
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever (John 14:16 NIV)
REFLECT
The challenge of translating paraklétos is obvious! This is the third time we have referenced this verse and each translation uses a different word. In today’s verse it is translated advocate and the Holy Spirit is described as another advocate. The word another signifies another of the same kind. The Holy Spirit is given to be to us all that Jesus would be if He were always personally present with each one of us on earth.
No wonder Jesus said in John 16:7 (Amplified Bible):
But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him (the Holy Spirit) to you [to be in close fellowship with you].
This really is an amazing truth! Take a few minutes to let the profound reality and powerful truth that the Holy Spirit is a forever internal presence for any Christ follower to sink deeply into your heart.
CONVERSATION WITH GOD
Ask God to show you if there are areas of your heart into which you may need to invite the Holy Spirit.
CLOSING
As I walk through this day, I choose to rejoice in the truth that as a Christ follower the Holy Spirit lives in me!
Thank you that the Holy Spirit is with me and dwells in me (John 14:17b).