A call for backup

A call for backup

[The Holy Spirit] will remind you of everything I have said to you. – John 14:26

John 14:16-27

 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,

 17 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.

 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.

 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.

 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.

 25 These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you.

 26 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.

 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

For cops, the word “backup” means having one or more additional officers on the scene. Officers are judicious in requesting backup. Fellow cops are often busy and have their hands full. Many police officers forego requesting backup once a situation is deemed “secure.” The suspect has been searched, is in custody, and is seemingly cooperative.

But such circumstances are exactly when you might want to have a backup officer on hand, especially in an era where many agencies increasingly field one-person patrol cars. Having a second officer on the scene can prevent, or at least minimize unfortunate surprises. Things like fabricated allegations made by the suspect or his friends with no one available to corroborate your version of events.

Such backup can also help prevent escapes, thereby mitigating the possibility of injuries to the suspect or other officers that might otherwise occur in the aftermath of such an eventuality. Having a second officer on scene automatically gives you more options (Dean Scoville)

The Lord Jesus Christ knew that when He ascended back to heaven, His followers would be in dire need of “backup.” His disciples would need support to accomplish the tasks that He set before them.

John 14:16-17

 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,

 17 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.

He told them about His forthcoming departure. In His absence, something totally new was going to happen on planet Earth. Each disciple would have an entirely new kind of connection with the Father and the Son through the Holy Spirit.

During the Old Testament dispensation, for the majority of children of the King, the presence of the Holy Spirit was fleeting. The Holy Spirit would come and go as needed. He was with them, but he was not in them. When a prophet needed the power to receive revelation from God and proclaim it, the Holy Spirit would come upon him.

Ezekiel 11:5 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon me, and he told me to say, “This is what the LORD says to the people of Israel: I know what you are saying, for I know every thought that comes into your minds.”

Once the message was delivered, the Holy Spirit would depart until another day. This was about to change dramatically. A remarkable paradigm shift would soon take place regarding the presence of the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament dispensation, the Holy Spirit was with the children of the King. In the New Testament dispensation, He would be in them. That which was temporary was about to become permanent. When the Holy Spirit would come into the children of the King, He would remain with them for the rest of their lives.

The difference is seen in two simple prepositions which spell out the difference: with and in.

John 14:17 You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

The Holy Spirit would become their moment-by-moment companion. He would dwell within them and never leave.

REFLECT & PRAY

“When it is a question of God’s Almighty Spirit, never say ‘I can’t.’ . . . Never let the limitation of natural ability come in. If we have received the Holy Spirit, God expects the work of the Holy Spirit to be manifested in us. . .. Never forget that our capacity in spiritual matters is measured by the promises of God. Is God able to fulfill His promises?” (Oswald Chambers).

Father thank You for providing me with backup through the Holy Spirit. Teach me to rely on the Holy Spirit to accomplish Your will.

INSIGHT

John 14:26 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.

John 15:26 But I will send you the Advocate – the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me.

Once the Holy Spirit was sent to planet Earth by the Father, He became their teacher. The Holy Spirit would teach them all things. And remarkably, He would give them the supernatural ability to recall information. He would be able to remember all the things that the Lord Jesus Christ said to them. This in part was how the Gospels were written: supernatural recall.

The Greek word translated as Helper, Counselor, or Advocate is parakletos. When used in secular culture, it is often referred to as a legal assistant, an advocate, or simply a helper. The verbal form of this word is parakaleo. It literally means to call alongside, exhort, encourage or strengthen.

The Holy Spirit would provide the disciples with backup. He would enable them to handle whatever came their way. They would receive power and authority to accomplish the Father’s will on earth as it is in heaven.

Matthew 28:18-20

 18 I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.

 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

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