IV. THE DISCIPLES’ PREPARATION BY THE SON OF GOD (13:1 – 16:33) A. THE DISCOURSE IN THE UPPER ROOM (Jn 13:1 – 14:31) 5. The Promise of Residence (14:1-3) 6. The Way to the Father (14:4-6) 7. The Oneness with the Father (14:7-11) 8. The Performance of Greater Works (14:12-15)
9. The Sending of the Holy Spirit (14:16-17) 10. The Pledge of Love (14:18-26) a. Through the Promise of His Indwelling (vv ) b. Through the Obedience to His Commandments (vv ) c. Through the Teaching of His Spirit c. Through the Teaching of His Spirit (v. 26) (v. 26) Read Jn 14:26.
“But” – Jesus now distinguishes between what He taught during His days here on earth and what He will teach through the Holy Spirit after His resurrection and ascension. ~ cf. 1Cor 2:12-13 The Holy Spirit here is once more called “the Helper”. ~ “Holy” - also because it is He who takes the leading part in the work of making others holy in the process of sanctification.
In this verse, He is also characterized as the One “whom the Father will send in My (Christ’s) name.” (Cf. Acts 2:33) ~ The Holy Spirit would be sent by both the Father and the Son (see also Jn 15:26). “… in My name.” 1) means that the Holy Spirit comes representing Him as Jesus represented the Father.
2) means that the Holy Spirit and His work here on earth is in complete harmony with who Jesus is. Then we see two main tasks of the Holy Spirit: 1) The Holy Spirit will teach the disciples “all things” necessary not only for their own salvation, but here specifically, for the work of declaring Christ and His gospel.
2) The Holy Spirit will remind the disciples of “all that [Jesus] said to [them].” The Holy Spirit’s ministry in this regard was not to bring new revelation, but to complete, to fill out, the revelation brought by Jesus Himself. ~ The Holy Spirit, then, would continue the teaching ministry of Christ.
This promise ensures the validity and the trustworthiness of the New Testament. (Cf. 2Pet 1:20-21) This ministry of the Holy Spirit still continues. ~ As we study the Bible, we can trust the Holy Spirit to plant truth in our minds, convince us of God’s will, and remind us when we stray from it.
READING, STUDYING, MEMORIZING, MEDITATING, AND OBEYING CHRIST’S WORDS FIRMLY PLANTS HIS TRUTHS INSIDE US, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT REMINDS US OF THEIR FURTHER APPLICATION AS WE MOVE THROUGH LIFE. ~ This is what theologians call illumination – the Holy Spirit’s process of helping believers understand Scripture.