Who Is the “Comforter”?

     Jesus promised His disciples in John, chapter 14, verse 16, that after He returned to heaven, He’d have the Father send them another “Comforter” who’d be with them forever – and I recently met a person who asked me who that “Comforter” was.

     Jesus told us who the “Comforter” is in verse 26 of that same chapter.  Jesus said He’s the Holy Spirit, and that the Holy Spirit will teach us everything we need to know here on earth, and will remind us of everything that Jesus taught His disciples while He was here.

     In the original language, the word Comforter that Jesus used means a “helper,” an “assistant,” and someone who’ll give us “divine strength.”

     These facts mean two things:  First, as we grow Spiritually as individuals, the Holy Spirit will help, strengthen, and teach us as individuals.

     Second, as we grow Spiritually as a group of family and friends, the Holy Spirit will help, strengthen, and teach us as a group.

     Imagine the peace, hope, and purpose that are ours if we live that kind of life as individuals; and if we live that kind as a group of family and friends.  Then imagine the resentment, anger, and stress that are ours if we don’t live that way individually and as a group of family and friends.

     It’s obvious why Jesus sent the new Comforter for His disciples in the First Century.  But it’s also obvious that we need that same new Comforter today.  All of us need a helper, an assistant, and divine strength to keep going, don’t we?  At least, I do.  So that’s what I told the person who asked me who the “Comforter” was.  Now I’m praying that this person will accept the great Comforter, too, and will accept Him as soon as possible.