The Work of the Helper (John 16:4-14)

We can see that the comments of Jesus had made the disciples sad. He had revealed to them that he was going to leave them and that one of them would betray him. We are not surprised that those comments would upset them because they seemed to be an end to all of their hopes. Jesus then says a very surprising statement in verse 7: ‘Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away.’ How could that possibly be the case? Because when he went away, he would send the Holy Spirit to them.

 

The name of the Holy Spirit

Our translation uses the word ‘helper’, but the word has a range of meanings. It was used of an advocate in a courtroom, and it is used of Jesus in that way in I John 2:1. Other usages of the word were succourer and comforter. Jesus has already said that the Holy Spirit would be another helper, and the word translated ‘another’ means another of the same kind. So the Holy Spirit would be like Jesus, with the obvious difference that he would be invisible. Yet his presence would not only be with them, but in them, which is a reminder that it is internal.

 

The activities of the Holy Spirit with the world

Jesus mentions three ways in which the Spirit would deal with the world as the apostles interacted with the world. We can see in these three ways his role as a witness to the truth of the three aspects that the apostles would want their hearers to believe. Obviously, this means that would have supernatural help as they declared the message. In addition, it would be sovereign help because the Holy Spirit is God.

 

The three ways are each connected to conviction. In other words, Jesus was promising that whenever the apostles preached they could be sure that their listeners would be convinced of three things. Those three things have to do with sin, righteousness and judgement, and Jesus says how the Spirit will bring conviction in those areas.

 

With regard to sin, the Spirit will convince them about the sin of not believing in Jesus. This does not mean that he would not convince them of other sins, but it does mean that while he may convince of other sins he will definitely convince about the sin of not believing on Jesus. So the crucial issue here is that when we speak of conviction of sin we focus on this sin. Why is that the case?

 

An unconverted person, at any particular moment, is not practicing all his sins or thinking about them. An unconverted person who has heard the gospel is not, at any particular moment, practising all sins or thinking about them. But having heard the gospel, he always remains guilty of not responding to it until he does. This is the sin that now defines him or her. A self-righteous sinner who has not heard the gospel is guilty of self-righteousness, but a self-righteous sinner who has heard the gospel is guilty mainly of rejecting the gospel. An immoral sinner who has not heard the gospel is guilty of immorality, but an immoral person who has heard the gospel is guilty mainly of rejecting the gospel. In a certain sense, hearing the gospel equalises all sinners – now become gospel rejectors until they believe.

They are personally responsible for their rejection because the Holy Spirit has convinced them that the gospel is true when it describes what Jesus did and what is offered to them in the gospel. At the same time, this would be a great comfort to the apostles, and to others who convey the gospel, because they would know that the Spirit had been at work in the inner lives of the listeners. Have we ever wondered where the apostles got their confidence from? They knew that the Spirit would fulfil his mission on behalf of Jesus.

 

The second aspect of the Helper’s work that Jesus mentions is that of righteousness, which he explains will be connected to bearing witness to why Jesus is not here. Instead, the Holy Spirit will bear witness to the fact that Jesus is glorified in heaven. When the Spirit does not convict a person of this reality, the person will think that the message is only nonsense. So the role of the apostles, and others, is to say why Jesus is now with the Father. Why is he there? He is there because he finished the righteous work that he was entrusted with. This work required him to live a perfect life and die an atoning death. If he had not done them, he would not have ascended to heaven. But because he did them, it is right that he ascends to the Father. His exaltation is the most profound expression or righteousness that does or ever will exist. Those truths are the heart of the gospel, but as Paul says they are regarded as foolishness by listeners, and they will react that way until the Holy Spirit convinces them of the truth that the Saviour’s absence is caused by divine righteousness. His exaltation to the Father was his righteous reward for his righteous Servant. And the Holy Spirit will help the apostles, and others, by bearing witness to that amazing reality that the One who laid down his righteous life as the sinner’s substitute is exalted righteously to the throne of God.

 

The third aspect of the Spirit’s work in the world is connected to the limitation of the power of the enemy of souls. Jesus tells his apostles that by the time the Helper will come to them the devil will have been judged. His judgement occurred at the cross where, as Paul reminded the Colossians, Jesus made an open show of the demonic powers. Paul’s words indicate that part of the devil’s power was his ability to condemn believers for their sins. Those sins were nailed to the cross when Jesus died. We know that a crucified person had his crime written on a notice which was then nailed above his head. Paul takes that illustration and says that nailed above the head of Jesus was the notice that indicated he was dying for the sins of his people. The devil can condemn believers, but their penalty has been paid, and the accuser of the brethren is silenced.

 

The activities of the Holy Spirit with the church (vv. 12-15)

Jesus informed the apostles that there were some future events that they could not understand even if they had been told about them by Jesus. They would only be able to understand them after he had died, risen again, and ascended to heaven. It would be a role of the Helper to enable them to know the truth about the great blessings that would be connected to the ascended Saviour.

 

Jesus also points out that this ministry of the Spirit is not independent of the other persons of the Trinity. He uses the illustration of how a spokesperson passes on what has been discussed by a set of people. In a far higher way, the Holy Spirit, who was in with the divine discussion, will pass on to the apostles what they needed to know. It is interesting that this activity of the Helper is a declaration – he will ‘declare’ certain things. A declaration involves sovereignty – it can only be made by someone with power, and it includes clarity – if it is not clear, no one will know what to do with the statement. So Jesus says that he Holy Spirit will give new information in a manner that will indicate it is God’s Word, but at the same time it will be straightforward.

 

The Saviour then says that the new information will be about ‘the things that are to come’. The definite article indicates that the things will happen, that nothing can prevent them from taking place. Moreover, he says that the things belong to himself, and that they also are the Father’s possessions. Imagine the sad apostles sitting there listening to their future activities, that the Holy Spirit would use them to bring new truths to the life of the people of God.

 

Obviously, there is a sense here that the words of Jesus refer to the New Testament, which was written by the apostles or by someone who knew an apostle. That is where we can find those truths today. The information given by the Holy Spirit to the apostles is only found in the New Testament. This should be a reminder of how amazing a book the New Testament is. Here are some examples.

 

In it, we see how the Holy Spirit enabled the writers to interpret Old Testament verses in ways that reveal the glory of Christ. An example of that is the sermon by Peter on the Day of Pentecost where he shows how prophecies from the Book of Joel, Psalm 16 and Psalm 110 were fulfilled by Jesus. But they could only be fully understood after Jesus had ascended. And there are numerous other examples in the New Testament.

 

At the same time, there are details given in the New Testament that are new, or more deeply explained than in the Old, but again they needed to be given historically after the ascension of Jesus. The authors highlight how everything about the spiritual life of believers is connected to union with Jesus, that is, union to One who is highly exalted in heaven.

 

Another amazing aspect of the New Testament is the Gospels, which are composed of incidents involving Jesus, include much of his teachings, and focus on the last week of his life. The Holy Spirit guided the authors of the Gospels as to what to include. Some would like to know more about the silent years of Jesus, but the Holy Spirit on behalf of the Trinity reveals to us what we should focus on.

 

Jesus also points out that the mission of the Spirit is to bring glory to Jesus. That is why he convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgement. It is also why he provided the church with a fuller set of inspired scriptures, why we have a New Testament as well as the Old. In them, he has described authoritatively and clearly the things of Christ that he shares with the Father.

 

Recognising this purpose of the Spirit will keep us from numerous errors. His intention is always to highlight Jesus. This is the case whether he is dealing with a sinner or a saint, with an unconverted person or with the most advanced believer. The Spirit is delighted to convey the treasures located in the risen Christ. He never speculates, but gives what is true, not just in rational understanding, but also in experience of grace. Our desires for spiritual blessing must always look to the right fountain and drink from its abundant provision. The Spirit’s activities are designed to lead us away from what cannot help us in order to experience the soul-reviving resources of grace that are constantly found in the ascended Saviour.

 

I suppose we can sum up the work of the Holy Spirit by noting that all he does is tell us what Jesus does as our prophet, priest and king. After all, those three roles describe his activities. He shows the unconverted what Jesus the prophet taught about salvation, how Jesus the priest provided salvation, and how Jesus the king can bring them into another kingdom. He shows the converted what Jesus the prophet wants them to do, how Jesus the priest sympathises with and encourages them, and how Jesus the king governs and protects them.