Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

John 14:15-31

Key Verses 14:15-17

15 “If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth.

In previous passage, Jesus said to his disciples that he would go to the Father and will be back to take them. And disciples were troubled and afraid. In today’s passage, Jesus promised two great gifts to his disciples who love Him. 

One, the Holy Spirit. 

Two, Peace of Jesus. 

May God enlighten us to understand the ministry of the Holy Spirit and Jesus’ peace so that we can wholeheartedly love Him and obey his commands. 

1. Read verses 15-18. What would those who love Jesus do? (15,23) What promise did Jesus make to those who love him? (16,18) Why can’t the world accept the Spirit of truth? (17) Why is he called “another Counselor’? (16) What does Jesus mean by “I will come to you”? (18) Who is the another Counselor? (16,17) 

15 “If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 21 Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.” 

23 Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. 

1-1> What would those who love Jesus do? (15,21,23)

(1) Love for Jesus is inseparable from obedience. (Lk 6:46, 1Jn 5:2,3)

The proof of love to Christ is not an oral profession but living obedience. 

Genuine love for Jesus will be shown in the life of struggle to obey his commands. 

It is possible that this genuine struggle could be misunderstood as obsession or legalism. 

Freedom in Jesus is freedom to obey His commands out of love for Him.  

(2) Loving Jesus is more than mere sentiment or emotion. 

Loving Jesus is passion for obedience to the truth. 

Oral profession of love without obedience to his commandments is not love at all. 

(3) Profession of loving Jesus without obedience to his commandments is phony. 

Professing Love for God without walking in the will of God is self-deception. 

The test of real love to Jesus is keeping his commandments. 

(4) The greatest commandments we must obey

One, Love God with all your hearts and souls and strengths (Deut 6:5, Mat 22:37)

Two, Love your neighbors as yourself (Mat 22:38, Jn 13:34, 1Jn 3:23)

(5) Jesus’ commands are not just one or two ethical commands (Jn 14:23,24), 

but all the commands, entire revelation and whole counsel of God. (Jn 3:32 Jn 12:47-49, Jn 17:6) 

(6) Application: Do you really love Jesus? How can we prove our love for Jesus? 

Obey all his commands; one verse at a time. 

1-2> What promise did Jesus make to those who love him? (16,18) 

(1) Jesus will ask the Father to give disciples another Counselor to be with them forever. (v16) 

God the Son prays to God the Father that He might send God the Holy Spirit to us.

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God the Father (Gen 1:2,Is 11:2, Mat 10:22) 

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God the Son (Rom 8:9, Gal 4:6; 1Pet 1:11) 

Verse16 shows the underlying theme of the Trinity. 

 (2) I will come back to you. (v18) 

Jesus again promised to come again (Jn 14:3,18)

It refers primarily to the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. 

But also refers to the Second coming of Christ. 

1-3> Why can’t the world accept the Spirit of truth? (17)

(1) The world dos not see him or know him. So there is no chance for them to accept the Spirit of truth. In order to accept someone you should see and know him personally. The world which refers to people who belong to the world does not have ability to see the Spirit or know him.

1-4> Why is he called “another Counselor’? (16)

(1) Probably because Jesus is called “Wonderful Counselor” (Isa 9:6) and therefore the Holy Spirit can be called as ‘another Counselor’.

(2) The word ‘another Counselor’ also reveals a function of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is gentle and he counsels believers gently rather than forcing his own opinions.

1-5> What does Jesus mean by “I will come to you”? (18)

(1) It probably refers to the coming of Jesus to his disciples in the form of the Holy Spirit after he has risen. Jesus’ disciples were like orphans without Jesus. Spiritually speaking we are all like orphans without someone who can protect us and guide us. So God sent the Holy Spirit to us, and Jesus promises to be with us to the end of the age. (Mt 28:20)

1-6> Who is the another Counselor? (16,17) 

(1) Another; Greek word "allen," 

Another of the same kind: Someone like Jesus will take his place and do his work. 

The Holy Spirit is distinctive from Jesus and the Father but same kind of nature of Jesus. 

But this shows His unity with them (the Father, the Son) in the work of redemption. 

 (2) Counselor; Greek word "parakletos."

Legally; advocate for the defense (1Jn 2:1)  

Generally; helper who provides encouragement, counsel, and strengths. 

The Holy Spirit is a helper/advocate for disciples. 

(3) The Spirit of truth

This shows that the Holy Spirit is in equality with the Father (Is 65:16) and the Son (Jn 14:6)

He is the source of truth. 

He communicates the truth to his people. 

 (4) The world cannot accept him (the Holy Spirit). 

Sinful humanity rejects the Holy Spirit because of their spiritual ignorance. (v17)

Apart from the Holy Spirit, people cannot know the truth of God. (1Cor 2:12-16, 1Jn 2:20,27) 

Unregenerate men cannot accept the things that come from Him. (1 Cor 2:14) 

Unbelievers do not have any capacity to accept God the Spirit. 

Unbelievers have no ability to discern the spiritual truth.

(5) You know him for he lives with you and will be in you. 

The Holy Spirit lives in believers (1 Cor 3:16, Eph 2:21) 

This dwelling of the Holy Spirit is permanent not temporary. (v16) 

2. Read verses 19-24. What promises Jesus give to his disciples? (19) What does the verse 20 mean? (v20, Jn 14:6,) What blessings were given to those who love Jesus? (21-24)

19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.” 22 Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?” 23 Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. 

2-1> What promises Jesus give to his disciples? (19,20)

(1) The world will not see me anymore but You will see me

After the death and resurrection of Jesus, the world is not able to see Jesus, 

But His disciples will see Him. 

(2) Because I live, You also will live.

Jesus is the resurrection and the life. (Jn 11:25,26) 

Life is found only in Jesus Christ 

2-2> What does the verse 20 mean? (v20, Jn 14:6,)

(1) On that day (v20): 

The day of Pentecost, the day of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit

(2) You will realize that 

The Holy Spirit will teach us about this communion of the Trinity. 

(3) I am in my Father, you are in me and I am in you. 

The relationship with Jesus and the Father is paralleled by the relationship with Jesus and believers. 

(Jn 10:38, 14:6, 14:20, 17:21)

Three unities are proclaimed in Scripture. 

a. Unity of the three Persons of the Trinity

b. Unity of the divine and human natures of Jesus Christ. 

c. Unity of Christ and believers in redemption. (Our union with Christ)

There are great mysteries but not contradictory. 

2-3> What blessings were given to those who love Jesus? (21-23)

(1) Just like there is mutual dwelling in the Trinity and the mutual dwelling of Christ and the Believers, there is mutual love between Jesus and believers. 

Father will love those who love Jesus

Jesus will love them. 

Jesus will show himself to them. 

(2) It does not mean that he loves us because we first loved him. 

Jesus loves us first (Rom 5:8) and then commands us to love like he loves, (Jn 15:12)

Jesus responds to our love for him by loving us with his self-manifestation and making his home with us.

3. Read verses 25-27. What will the Holy Spirit do for Jesus’ disciples? (26)  How is Jesus’ peace different from the world’s peace? (27) 

25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. 

3-1> What will the Holy Spirit do for Jesus’ disciples? (26)  

(1) Teach them all things. The word ‘all’ shows that there is no limitation of the revelation of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit reveals all things necessary for our salvation and godly life. The Holy Spirit is the great Teacher. We can learn from the Holy Spirit and gain unlimited knowledge from the Spirit and become men of wisdom and knowledge.

(2) Remind them of everything Jesus had said to them. Jesus taught his disciples many things but not all of his teachings were revealed to them. Jesus’ disciples could have forgotten a lot of Jesus’ teaching. But when the Holy Spirit comes he will remind them of ‘everything Jesus had said to him’. So all of Jesus’ teachings were not lost. And that is how the four gospels were written. The Holy Spirit is a great reminder. We also realize many things which we did not remember through the reminding of the Holy Spirit. 

Because of these two functions of the Holy Spirit, teaching and reminding, Jesus’ disciples became great men of wisdom and knowledge even though they did not attend schools.  People were amazed at their wisdom and knowledge. 

3-2> How is Jesus’ peace different from the world’s peace? (27) 

(1) Peace is common Hebrew salutation used in greeting or farewell. 

Jesus gives it a new and deeper meaning in NT letters.

Jesus’ peace is true reconciliation with God. (Rom 5:1)

Jesus’ peace was achieved with His death. (Eph 2:14-17)

This is the legacy Jesus gave for his disciples and us. 

This is the first gift which we receive from Jesus when we are born again 

Jesus’ peace continues to rule us even in the storm of our lives. 

(2) Jesus’ peace is different from the world’s peace. 

The peace the world gives is false peace and mind-deception. 

The peace Jesus gives is heavenly peace. 

The peace from Jesus is true and genuine peace which reconciles us with God. 

This can’t be bought with money; it was already paid by the death of Jesus. 

This is given to us freely by grace through faith in Jesus. 

(3) Jesus’ peace will gives us power to overcome the fear. 

Jesus’ peace is supreme remedy for fears. (v27, Phil 4:6,7)

4. Read verses 28-31. Why should Jesus’ disciple be glad when they heard that Jesus is going away? (28) 

What did Jesus tell his disciples about the future before it happens? (29) 

What can we know about the prince of this world? (30) What would Jesus demonstrate to the world? (31)

28 “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. 30 I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, 31 but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me. Come now; let us leave. 

4-1> Why should Jesus’ disciple be glad when they heard that Jesus is going away? (28) 

(1) Jesus’ departure and return. 

  These are absolutely necessary to complete his redemptive work. (Jn14:3) 

Although Jesus said, he is coming back; Jesus’ leaving was hard for disciples to accept. 

But spiritually, Jesus’ leaving makes everything possible for our redemption and glory. 

Jesus wants his disciples to realize this. 

(2) The Father is greater than I. 

God the Father is greater than God the Son 

Not because Jesus is not God, 

but because Jesus was both God and man. 

As a man Jesus was in a lower position than the Father. (Heb 2:9, Phil 2:5-8)

This should be understood in light of Jesus’ equality and oneness with His Father. (Jn 1:1, 10:30,14:9)

4-2> What did Jesus tell his disciples about the future before it happens? (29) 

(1) Jesus’ death and resurrection. He told them in advance to plant faith in them. By knowing what would happen to them they could keep their faith instead of being confused and losing their faith in Jesus. 

(2) The fulfillment of Jesus’ words (prophecies) will be a convincing proof that He was sent by God the Father. 

4-3> What can we know about the prince of this world and the world? (30) 

(1) The prince of this world; Satan (jn 12:31, 16:11) has no hold on Jesus. 

Satan is not pushing Jesus to the cross. 

Satan has absolutely no hook or foothold in Jesus because He is sinless. 

Therefore, Satan could not hold him in death. 

Jesus triumphed and destroyed Satan in his death. (Heb 2:14) 

(2) The world must learn that Jesus loves the Father and that Jesus does exactly what the Father has commanded him. 

The people in the world should know 

Jesus loves the Father. 

Jesus obeyed what the Father has commanded him. 

Jesus died on the cross in loving obedience to the Father and out of love for people in the world. 

(3) come now; let us leave. 

Actually, Jesus and his disciples left the room in Jn 18:1. 

This verse could mean that Jesus challenged to meet Satan rather than a signal to leave the room. 

4-4> What would Jesus demonstrate to the world? (31)

(1) Jesus loves the Father and does exactly what his Father has commanded him. Jesus showed the example of his teaching, “If you love me you will obey what I command” (Jn 14:15). His love was demonstrated through his obedience to his Father’s command. The Father’s command could refer to his death on the cross. 

In conclusion, Jesus promised the Holy Spirit and peace. The Holy Spirit will teach us everything Jesus had said to his disciples. Jesus’ peace will give us comfort in our hearts and power to overcome the fear. 

Jesus promised these blessings to those who love Him and obey his commands. May God richly bless us to love Him and obey His commands with all our hearts and minds and souls.