Lessons Jesus Taught His Disciples
Lesson Three • The Helper
Pastor Noble Baird
Whenever I hear the word “help,” the first thing that comes to mind is a song from one of the greatest bands ever, “Help!” It was released in July of 1965, The Beatles’ song “Help!” shares a message, that many of us can relate to. Lennon and McCartney begin with the words, “I need somebody, not just anybody, you know I need someone, Help!”
1. Is there a time in your life when you found yourself truly in need of help? What were the circumstances?
2. Has there been times in your life where you knew you needed help; yet pride, and fear, maybe some worry, held you back from seeking help?
In John 14:15-17, Jesus is at a moment in time that has become infamous no matter the religion or political beliefs. The setting of this passage is the Last Supper. However, this conversation that Jesus had with His disciples can often be overlooked and people do not know where or when it took place. Yet, as we look at the context of this passage, Jesus has just finished breaking bread with His disciples and washing their feet; this is simply a continuation of their conversation that night. Beginning in verse 15 Jesus says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” It is truly so amazing to read of Christ’s love not only for His disciples but us, His followers. Jesus is literally in the penultimate movements before His brutal murder, yet He comforts and encourages His disciples reminding them that they will never be alone.
3. What are the “commandments” that Jesus references here in this passage?
4. Did the Holy Spirit ever dwell within a follower of Christ before Pentecost? What are some stories and passages where the Holy Spirit came upon a follower for a time?
There is such comfort and true peace we can receive through the promises of Christ. These are not promises made flippantly or off the cuff to receive something in return. No, the promises of Christ are sure and always fulfilled. So, Christ tells His disciples that they will not be alone, the Spirit will come and dwell within them, but then what? In John 14:25-26, Jesus continues saying, “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” Not only will the Helper, who Jesus clearly tells us is the Holy Spirit, bring comfort in Christ’s physical absence from this world, but the Spirit will also teach, instruct, reveal, and bring remembrance. It is truly amazing - Christ’s love for us. He understands the grieving process. He knows that when He is gone from this world, His disciples and followers will need help, comfort, and guidance. Knowing this, we see the working of the Trinity; in that God the Father will send the Holy Spirit, to dwell within us (those that confess and believe in Jesus Christ as Lord) and this will all be done in the name and through the finishing work on the cross and the resurrection of Jesus Christ the Son. Wow!
5. Do you know of other passages of Scripture where we see the Trinity?
6. Is there a time when you truly felt the leading of the Spirit in your life? Did you heed the leading or contemplate?
Continuing in John 16:1-15, Jesus again shares about what the Spirit will do and furthermore, upon whose authority the Spirit works. Beginning in verse 1, Jesus says, “I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you. I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless, 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. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” What a challenging, yet encouraging passage. Jesus reminds His followers of the reality of the life and decision they have made to follow Him. He says in verse 2 that we will be chased after and sought after for death. As followers of Christ, we must know the reality of the times we live in. The truth is this: things are no different now than they were during the lives of the disciples. In fact, all except for John are recorded as dying brutal and untimely deaths because of their faith and drive to share the Gospel of Christ! Yet, Jesus uses this reality and the sorrow that the disciples are experiencing (in regards to Christ’s departure from them) to yet again encourage them on the coming of the Helper. Jesus goes so far as to say, “It is to your advantage that I go away.”
7. What are the advantage of Christ’s departure and the coming of the Spirit?
8. Have you ever experienced the fear of change? What was the outcome? How did you overcome or deal with the change?
One of the biggest advantages to Christ’s departure means that He has fulfilled His purpose of reconciling us to the Father. Just as Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, it is only through Christ’s death on the cross and His resurrection that we are saved. So, yes it was and is to our advantage that Jesus ascended, so that the Spirit would come, but also within this departure that meant that the veil was torn and the ultimate sacrifice was made on our behalf!
Within this passage, Jesus teaches about an incredible truth of the role in which the Holy Spirit plays not only in our lives but in our world and in our mission of spreading the Gospel. Again, we see the Trinity displayed in verses 10-15. Unfortunately in our world, there are churches, leaders, and pastors, who ignore or just blatantly reject this truth Jesus shares at the end of this passage. Jesus says, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” It is very clear here that the Spirit submits to the Son as the Son submits to the Father. However, it is not through the authority or the power of the Spirit through which we are saved or through which we are called. No, Jesus clearly taught His disciples and is teaching us that it is only through Him by which we are saved and it is through Him that we are called to the Gospel!
The Beatles sing these words in one of the final verses in the song “Help!”
“When I was younger, so much younger than today
I never needed anybody’s help in any way
(Now) but now these days are gone (these days are gone)
I’m not so self-assured
(And now I find) now I find I’ve changed my mind
And opened up the doors”
Now, I know that not everyone is a huge fan of The Beatles and that is okay (We all are wrong at times). This verse, however, truly resonated with me and I hope it can be a challenge for us all. When we are young, oftentimes we think we can do it all and we do not actually need anyone’s help. Even as we get older, learn more, and advance in our careers more, we can become even more stubborn. Yet, I hope that no matter the circumstances and no matter the situation we face; we take a step back, change our minds and open that door allowing the Spirit to teach us. Allowing for the comfort of the Spirit to fill our lives is essential to growth. Allowing for the prompting and leading of the Spirit to be our guide through all we do should be a priority. Jesus said that He would never leave us alone and that as followers of Christ the Spirit literally dwells within us. We know that Jesus has called us to share His Gospel boldly, yet with that call, He knew we would not be alone. He knew that the Spirit would come and fill us so that we would be bold for His glory! So, it is my prayer that we do not neglect, quench, or shun His guiding, teaching, comfort, and leading in our lives. I am not sure about you, but I truly need the Helper’s help every day!
1. Is there a time in your life when you found yourself truly in need of help? What were the circumstances?
2. Has there been times in your life where you knew you needed help; yet pride, and fear, maybe some worry, held you back from seeking help?
In John 14:15-17, Jesus is at a moment in time that has become infamous no matter the religion or political beliefs. The setting of this passage is the Last Supper. However, this conversation that Jesus had with His disciples can often be overlooked and people do not know where or when it took place. Yet, as we look at the context of this passage, Jesus has just finished breaking bread with His disciples and washing their feet; this is simply a continuation of their conversation that night. Beginning in verse 15 Jesus says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” It is truly so amazing to read of Christ’s love not only for His disciples but us, His followers. Jesus is literally in the penultimate movements before His brutal murder, yet He comforts and encourages His disciples reminding them that they will never be alone.
3. What are the “commandments” that Jesus references here in this passage?
4. Did the Holy Spirit ever dwell within a follower of Christ before Pentecost? What are some stories and passages where the Holy Spirit came upon a follower for a time?
There is such comfort and true peace we can receive through the promises of Christ. These are not promises made flippantly or off the cuff to receive something in return. No, the promises of Christ are sure and always fulfilled. So, Christ tells His disciples that they will not be alone, the Spirit will come and dwell within them, but then what? In John 14:25-26, Jesus continues saying, “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” Not only will the Helper, who Jesus clearly tells us is the Holy Spirit, bring comfort in Christ’s physical absence from this world, but the Spirit will also teach, instruct, reveal, and bring remembrance. It is truly amazing - Christ’s love for us. He understands the grieving process. He knows that when He is gone from this world, His disciples and followers will need help, comfort, and guidance. Knowing this, we see the working of the Trinity; in that God the Father will send the Holy Spirit, to dwell within us (those that confess and believe in Jesus Christ as Lord) and this will all be done in the name and through the finishing work on the cross and the resurrection of Jesus Christ the Son. Wow!
5. Do you know of other passages of Scripture where we see the Trinity?
6. Is there a time when you truly felt the leading of the Spirit in your life? Did you heed the leading or contemplate?
Continuing in John 16:1-15, Jesus again shares about what the Spirit will do and furthermore, upon whose authority the Spirit works. Beginning in verse 1, Jesus says, “I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you. I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless, 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. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” What a challenging, yet encouraging passage. Jesus reminds His followers of the reality of the life and decision they have made to follow Him. He says in verse 2 that we will be chased after and sought after for death. As followers of Christ, we must know the reality of the times we live in. The truth is this: things are no different now than they were during the lives of the disciples. In fact, all except for John are recorded as dying brutal and untimely deaths because of their faith and drive to share the Gospel of Christ! Yet, Jesus uses this reality and the sorrow that the disciples are experiencing (in regards to Christ’s departure from them) to yet again encourage them on the coming of the Helper. Jesus goes so far as to say, “It is to your advantage that I go away.”
7. What are the advantage of Christ’s departure and the coming of the Spirit?
8. Have you ever experienced the fear of change? What was the outcome? How did you overcome or deal with the change?
One of the biggest advantages to Christ’s departure means that He has fulfilled His purpose of reconciling us to the Father. Just as Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, it is only through Christ’s death on the cross and His resurrection that we are saved. So, yes it was and is to our advantage that Jesus ascended, so that the Spirit would come, but also within this departure that meant that the veil was torn and the ultimate sacrifice was made on our behalf!
Within this passage, Jesus teaches about an incredible truth of the role in which the Holy Spirit plays not only in our lives but in our world and in our mission of spreading the Gospel. Again, we see the Trinity displayed in verses 10-15. Unfortunately in our world, there are churches, leaders, and pastors, who ignore or just blatantly reject this truth Jesus shares at the end of this passage. Jesus says, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” It is very clear here that the Spirit submits to the Son as the Son submits to the Father. However, it is not through the authority or the power of the Spirit through which we are saved or through which we are called. No, Jesus clearly taught His disciples and is teaching us that it is only through Him by which we are saved and it is through Him that we are called to the Gospel!
The Beatles sing these words in one of the final verses in the song “Help!”
“When I was younger, so much younger than today
I never needed anybody’s help in any way
(Now) but now these days are gone (these days are gone)
I’m not so self-assured
(And now I find) now I find I’ve changed my mind
And opened up the doors”
Now, I know that not everyone is a huge fan of The Beatles and that is okay (We all are wrong at times). This verse, however, truly resonated with me and I hope it can be a challenge for us all. When we are young, oftentimes we think we can do it all and we do not actually need anyone’s help. Even as we get older, learn more, and advance in our careers more, we can become even more stubborn. Yet, I hope that no matter the circumstances and no matter the situation we face; we take a step back, change our minds and open that door allowing the Spirit to teach us. Allowing for the comfort of the Spirit to fill our lives is essential to growth. Allowing for the prompting and leading of the Spirit to be our guide through all we do should be a priority. Jesus said that He would never leave us alone and that as followers of Christ the Spirit literally dwells within us. We know that Jesus has called us to share His Gospel boldly, yet with that call, He knew we would not be alone. He knew that the Spirit would come and fill us so that we would be bold for His glory! So, it is my prayer that we do not neglect, quench, or shun His guiding, teaching, comfort, and leading in our lives. I am not sure about you, but I truly need the Helper’s help every day!