John 14:25-26, The Helper

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.” 

Have you ever played a game of Telephone? You sit in a circle of people and one person whispers something in the ear of the person seated next to them and then this phrase or sentence makes its way around the circle. By the time the last person is asked to say what she heard out loud, it is usually quite different than what was spoken originally.  

When someone wants to attack the truth of Christianity or the certainty of someone’s faith in Jesus, they almost always start with an attack on the New Testament writings, saying that they are old writings, changed over the years, and written by biased men or groups of individuals. Perhaps they would have a point if Jesus and the Father did not send the Holy Spirit, but they did! You can trust God’s Word both incarnate and written. As Jesus’ disciples were not left alone, you have not been left alone either. 

In his commentary on John, D. A. Carson writes, “The Spirit’s ministry in this respect was not to bring qualitatively new revelation, but to complete, to fill out, the revelation brought by Jesus himself.” The Spirit reminded Jesus’ disciples of what he had spoken and taught them so they could accurately share it with the next generation. It was the work of the Spirit to assist and inspire Peter, Paul, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John when they wrote about and witnessed to Jesus. Because of the Spirit, we can trust the New Testament because it is inspired by the Spirit of truth. 

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.