Eternal Helper

John 14:15-17 “If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16 and  I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, who will stay with you forever. 17 The Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”
  
HERE is a third promise (Please see John 14:12-14 from previous three lessons.). It is another wonderful comfort Jesus lovingly gives to his disciples as he prepares to leave them. A new chapter in the disciples’ lives and God’s Kingdom will soon begin. The disciples must know God’s story will continue to its ultimate conclusion.
   Jesus’ mission of teaching on earth has ended. Unknown to the disciples, they are about to witness their Master die a horrible death. Profound doubt and stifling fear will crush the disciples’ spirits. Surely, they will wonder how the Christ, the Son of the Living God (Matthew 16:15) could allow this to happen. They will wonder, “Are Jesus’ Kingdom promises true?”
   Jesus urgently and lovingly prepares them with promises of mission, strength and support. In summary, the Lord has promised, “You’ll do much more than I have done. Evangelize, and you will lead people to faith in me. Pray into my purpose, and I will give you what you need. You will never be alone. My Helper will come to support and empower you in all I command you to do.”
   Remember, Jesus and the Holy Spirit have anointed the disciples into a working relationship with the Lord God Almighty. Their eternal life began the day Jesus said to them, “Come, follow me.” For about three years they have walked with him on earth in his presence. He has now prepared them to walk for him throughout the earth in his physical absence. The Helper, the Holy Spirit, will come from Jesus to do the Father’s will until the day the Father calls them home to be with Jesus again.
   Has Jesus said to you through the Helper, “Come follow me”? If so, rejoice and know the Lord God has anointed you to eternal life. As a citizen of Heaven, you can believe and trust the Holy Spirit is constantly with you to help you faithfully work the Lord’s will on earth. Understand deep in your soul, “Jesus is risen. He is ascended. He will come again.” Believe in your heart you are his forever.
          When you do believe, you will find fear, doubt, and loneliness will disappear. Faith will grow. Love will strengthen your footsteps. The Helper will help you tell the world, “Jesus saves.”