Reader’s Guide: “The Word for Today” Friday, March 21, 2014 Read John 14:15-24 At this point in the story John introduces a new concept – one that only John speaks about. We need to remember that this section of his gospel is dealing with the huge question of how Jesus will remain present to his disciples after he has return to the place of his origin, “from above.” Jesus tells his disciples that when he returns above he will send “another Paraclete” to be with them forever. The word “Paraclete” is very difficult to translate because it has very little other usage in Greek writing. The word literally means “to walk beside” and that might be the best translation. Other words are often used – Advocate, Counselor, Helper. All of them are helpful and perhaps we should use them all at once. The idea of a Paraclete is a large concept. It is significant that John writes that Jesus is sending “another” Paraclete. The implication, of course, is that Jesus has been the first Paraclete. This one that Jesus is to send will thus be like him – doing the same things Jesus has done. John welds the Paraclete and Jesus together. Jesus goes on the say that this Paraclete is the “Spirit of truth.” In fact, the Paraclete will become known as the Holy Spirit – a concept much easier for us to understand. So, the way in which Jesus will remain present for his followers after he has returned above will be through the Holy Spirit who Jesus will send to them. Yet, this Paraclete, this Holy Spirit will not be visible to the world as Jesus has been. So, how will the followers of Jesus “see” him? At this point John returns to one of his dominant themes which is love. Jesus demonstrated his love by washing his disciples’ feet. He loved them to the end. They, in turn, are to love one another. It is only in the practice of love that the followers of Jesus will “see” Jesus. Or, to put it another way, “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them” (John 14:23). It is in believing in Jesus and in loving one another that his followers will “see” the Paraclete among them. Just as Jesus is in the Father and the Father is in Jesus, so will Jesus be in his followers and his followers will be in him. And this is Jesus’ work not so much ours. He is hanging on to us – no one can snatch his sheep out of his hand. It is to live in the promise of Jesus. He will not leave his followers orphaned!