The Comforter

"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you: but if I depart, I will send Him to you." John 16:7.

Had they consciously/unconsciously ignored Jesus' previous statements about His impending departure, this time the message was inescapable. "I am leaving."

For the disciples it had to be distressing, upsetting news. Jesus was their life. When other followers abandoned Christ, they had remained.

"Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that your are the Holy One of God." John 6:68.

The bridges were burned and there was no turning back. Now their beloved teacher and friend would soon be gone leaving them with...a Comforter?

I can think of other things I would have wanted to learn was my reward for three years of loyal attention and devotion. What would this Comforter, who may have seemed more like a consolation prize for faithful attendance do...make them feel less foolish for forsaking all in pursuit of a dream?

Unlike the disciples then, we know just how well things worked out. The Comforter was exactly Whom they needed. Unaware that they were about to be launched into a world changing endeavor, Jesus knew from personal experience how tough this assignment would be.

While traveling with Him, the disciples tasted small doses of the rejection, animosity and persecution that Christ experienced. Now with His departure they would feel the full force of these attacks. Their decision to take on the mandate offered them would be richly rewarding and satisfying. It would also be filled with pain, suffering and even death for their belief in the Master.

Holy Spirit's role at this time mirrors that He assumed in                  Genesis 1:1-2.

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and void, darkness was over the deep, and the spirit of God was hovering over the waters."

In Hebrew, the earth was "tohu bohu" or chaotic. The disciple's lives would now be shaken and their world upended. They'd experience the physical darkness of the crucifixion and the subsequent loss of their light in the world. However, in the midst of all that, the Spirit was at work.

"Spirit" in Hebrew is ruach (wind, spirit). This is a feminine noun and of the eighty-nine times it is used in the Old Testament, only nine times is it a masculine noun. The verb "hovering" is also feminine.

Just as a bird sits on the nest until the eggs hatch and new life appears, the Spirit brooded over those who at Christ's command waited in Jerusalem until the church was birthed on Pentecost. Then, as in Genesis where light sparked the first sign of life, "tongues of fire" appeared, and we know the rest of the story.

When children are born, mother's typically play the major role in their early developmental years. The transition from the safety of the womb to life in the real world is difficult, even frightening. Mom's are there to offer nurture and assurance. They kiss the boo-boo's, dry the tears and provide a safe place from fear. They systematically impart skills necessary to navigate life: potty training, shoe tying, and keeping your milk in the glass and not all over the table and the floor. I'm not insinuating that father's don't play a vital and important role in a child's life. Our country is suffering on a scale not known previously the bitter fruit of fatherlessness in children's lives today. God designed women in His image also and they normally display the nurturing, caring character of God.

The early church would need wisdom, power, boldness and so forth. However, Jesus realized that believers also need something just as important when times get tough-comfort. Holy Spirit fills this role in our lives perfectly.

How about you? How do you describe Holy Spirit's involvement in your life? When have you experienced the Spirit's comfort? In order of importance, where does comfort fall in the list of His ministrations to you? Can you really live without the comfort that the Spirit gives?

As 2017 comes to and end, it is time so say "Thank you" to all who have read my blog and even posted comments. What started as a goal to write once a week for a full year has had a six year uninterrupted streak. But now it's time to end this run. I may on occasion post something new and if and when I do, I hope you'll enjoy my ramblings. I wish you all a very happy and prosperous New Year. God bless you.