Focal Passage: John 15:26-27; 16:7-15
One of the strangest elements in literature is what’s called a “paradox.”
According to the dictionary, a paradox is a statement that seems self-contradictory or illogical. In other words, it’s a message that seems backwards or doesn’t make sense.
We encounter paradoxes when business owners say, “You have to spend money to make money;” or when a counselor states that “failure often leads to success.” One of the most memorable was President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s axiom, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
The language in each of these statements appears to contradict what is being said until you learn what is being said (did you see what I did there?). Therefore, even though paradoxes can be puzzling or illogical at first, they often communicate important truths.
Terrell
We find somewhat of a paradox in John 16:7, where Jesus explains to the disciples, “I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you.” Now when the disciples heard this, they were justifiably shocked and confused.
How could there be any advantage or benefit of not having Jesus with them? For the past three years, He had been their closest friend, teacher, encourager and ministry leader. Jesus had given them all of their instruction, protection and power to do ministry. He was the source of everything good in their lives. How could it possibly be better without Him in their presence? What a paradox.
However, Jesus explains that unless He goes away, “the Helper will not come to you.” In our English translations the title “Helper” is capitalized because it translates the Greek word “parakletos,” which is a reference to God the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity.
While there is not enough space in this lesson to fully explain all the details, suffice it to say that after Jesus made atonement for sin and was resurrected from the grave, it was God’s will for Him to ascend to heaven and rule over the entire universe. But as Jesus ascended to heaven to rule from above, He would send the Holy Spirt as His agent to rule over human hearts below.
Such a transition was necessary because while Jesus could only be in one place at one time, the Holy Spirit would have the ability to live within the hearts of all believers, regardless of location.
Although Jesus could speak into the ears of those listening to Him in person, the Holy Spirit would speak directly into the hearts of believers everywhere.
By ministering in the heart, Jesus explains that the Spirit will teach believers all things (John 14:26), draw people to the Son (John 15:26), guide believers to the truth (John 16:7), and convict unbelievers concerning sin (John 16:8).
In other parts of the New Testament, we learn that the Holy Spirit opens hearts to salvation (Acts 16:14), regenerates hearts to spiritual life (Titus 3:5), seals hearts unto final redemption (Ephesians 1:13-14), transforms the mind (Romans 12:2), encourages the weak (Romans 8:26), produces spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:22-23), equips believers with gifts for service (I Corinthians 12:4-11) and empowers believers to be witnesses (Acts 1:8). These blessings and others could only take place “when the Spirit comes.” Soli Deo Gloria! B&R
