February 28, 2016         John 15:20 – 16:11

Download discussion questions: John 15_20-16_11 Spirit of Truth

Imagine that you have been training a small group for several years, but now you have to leave them.  How do you reassure them?  How do you encourage their continued work in the face of their distress?  What better way than to remind them that the task is important, a specific mission you were sent on.  Then you reveal that there will be another representative to continue the training, helping them in the work you are leaving to them.  That’s what Jesus is doing in this passage.

Jesus repeatedly mentions both the Father (at least eight times, including the two mentions of “the One who sent Me”) and the Spirit or Helper (three times).  In addition to naming the Father and the Spirit multiple times, Jesus continually offers descriptions of the relationship between the Three (including Himself) and the specific functions or roles each plays in the divine plan.  Remember, this is not the first time we have seen this emphasis.  For the last several chapters of the Gospel according to John, Jesus has been saying more and more about the Father and the Spirit (e.g., John 14:15-31 Another Helper; John 15:1-19 The Vine).  Before He is arrested Jesus wants His followers to be absolutely convinced that His ministry was not a three-year “flash in the pan” that began on a whim and will end in seeming tragedy.  The plan of the Father from eternity past and implemented by the Son on earth will be powerfully continued by the Holy Spirit.

There was some discussion as group members looked into other translations (the handouts are typically based on the New American Standard Bible, NASB).  Some refer to the Holy Spirit as the Helper (ESV, NASB, Phillips), or Counselor (HCSB, RSV), or Comforter (KJV, TLB, YLT), or Advocate (NIV, NLT, NRSV), or even Friend (MSG, NIRV).[1]  Any time one word is translated so many different ways, it should be a clue about the depth and richness of the word.  The Greek word includes such a broad range of meaning that translators have a challenge expressing the sense in readable English.  One translation (Mounce) simply transliterates (uses English letters to write the Greek word) as Paraclete (from paracletos, παράκλητος), literally, “One called alongside.”  (Think of parallel lines, lines side by side.)  All of the translations mentioned above could be the function of one called alongside to comfort, counsel, help, advocate for, or simply to be a friend.  No wonder the translators have difficulty fitting the role of the third Person of the Trinity into a single word!

The conviction brought by the Holy Spirit stirred our discussion.  The conclusion seemed to be that the work of the Spirit (usually through us, the disciples) is first about the sin of not acknowledging and accepting Christ and His message and His work (16:9).  Second, His work is to bring an awareness of righteousness after Jesus, the perfect model of perfect righteousness, is no longer visibly present (16:10)  Third, the work of the Spirit is to bring an awareness of the reality of judgment, since the ruler of this world (presumably Satan and his followers) has so clearly defied God and been condemned (16:11).

As often happens, the discussion in our group was helpful regarding comments that Jesus made early in the passage that were puzzling (at least to me).  In John 15:22 and 24, Jesus sounds as if He was saying that those who had not heard His words or seen His works had no responsibility for sin.  As I expressed my uncertainty about those statements, those in our group suggested looking at the immediate context (always a good idea, as I have often emphasized!!).  The sin Jesus seems to be describing is not sin in general, or original sin from Adam, or all the other behavior of the people.  In the context where Jesus makes the statements that “they would not have sin” the specific sin He is referring to is the rejection of His words and His works.  The imminent persecution of the disciples is probably included in their sin that Jesus is describing.  If He had not preached and performed miracles, the Jews would not have any reason to persecute Him and His followers.  They would not have the guilt of that sin to add to the list of their other sins.  But now they have the sin of rejecting Christ, one of the specific issues for the conviction of the Spirit (16:9).  That discussion cleared the vagueness I had about Jesus’ words.  [Few things encourage a Bible study leader more than learning from the other participants in the group.]

The intricate interrelationships among the members of the Trinity form a significant part of this passage.  Rather than ignoring the doctrine of the Holy Trinity as too complicated or a mystery or as impractical theology, we should follow the emphasis of Jesus and pursue as much depth of understanding as possible.  Certainly an eternal divine Being who is holy and wholly other is beyond our finite minds.  But if Jesus thought it important enough for the last few minutes before His arrest, we should learn all we can from His words:

The Father sent the Son (15:21, 16:5, as well as about forty other mentions in this Gospel).  The Son sends the Spirit from the Father (15:26), and the Spirit “proceeds” or goes out from the Father.  The Spirit proceeding from the Father and sent by the Son is sent to the disciples (16:7, mentioned twice).  Having been sent, the Spirit testifies about the Son (15:26) and convicts the world (16:8).  The Spirit’s testimony is carried on by the disciples (15:27).  Our discussion suggested that the testimony of believers is the primary means which the Spirit uses to bring conviction to the world.  While the Sovereign Spirit is free to work however He chooses, the most common method is through the lives and words of the followers of Christ who are sent to the world.  Later in John we will see that the sending continues:  “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you [disciples]” (John 20:21).  Thus there is a relational continuity from God the Father, through God the Son, by God the Holy Spirit, through believers to communicate to the world.  The sense of a relational mission, of sending and being sent, is a constant thread woven throughout the earthly ministry of Jesus.

[1] See BibleGateway for an even more exhaustive list:
https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/John%2015:26