Moments to Ponder

Holy Spirit 140: The Advocate Jesus Promised You Already Have

• Betsy Marvin • Season 15 • Episode 140

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Have you ever wondered why some conversations linger long after the meal ends? Those extra moments around the table often reveal the most profound truths and meaningful connections. In this episode of Moments to Ponder, we explore Jesus's final teachings to His disciples during their last meal together—a conversation filled with promises that still resonate powerfully today.

We unpack Jesus's stunning promise that His followers would do "greater works" than Him—not necessarily more spectacular miracles, but greater in reach and impact. This promise extends to us today, inviting us to participate in kingdom work that surpasses what Jesus accomplished in His physical ministry alone. We also clarify what it means to pray "in Jesus's name"—not as a magic formula for getting what we want, but as an alignment with His character and purposes.

The heart of this episode centers on Jesus's gift of the Holy Spirit—our Advocate, Comforter, Counselor and Guide. Where the disciples had Jesus with them physically, we have something they couldn't yet comprehend: the Spirit dwelling within us. This indwelling presence transforms everything about how we live and love. Perhaps most precious is Jesus's parting gift of peace—not as the world gives, but a supernatural tranquility that transcends circumstances and anchors our souls through any storm.

As you listen, consider which promise speaks most deeply to your current situation. Are you stepping into the "greater works" Jesus promised? Are you experiencing the peace that outshines the world's temporary offerings? The same Spirit who empowered the early church dwells in you, producing fruit that marks you as Christ's own: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Join us as we linger at the table with Jesus and receive the gifts He's offering.

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Speaker 1:

Hi friends, welcome to Moments to Ponder. This is a podcast designed to help you spend a few moments in God's Word, gain fresh perspectives and find meaningful takeaways to ponder throughout your week. I'm Betsy Marvin and this is Episode 140.

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As a kid, I never understood why adults would sit at the table after dinner and just talk. How boring. Besides, all that talking happened at the table when there was a perfectly good living room with soft chairs and a sofa just a few feet away. I can remember that feeling of not wanting to sit still any longer than I had to. There were games to play, cousins to see, tv to watch. But as I've gotten older I've grown to love the lingering. By lingering I mean those moments when, after a big meal, people just stay at the table, no one is in a hurry, as coffee is refilled and chairs are pushed back a bit. That's when you hear a tidbit from a story you never knew, discover more about what's happening in someone's life or learn from the wisdom being shared. Holidays give us the freedom to linger, to just sit and finish our coffee while we take one more sliver of pie and discover more about those that we love. I wonder if that was the feeling for the disciples as they lingered with Jesus after their Passover meal. But as Jesus shared, I wonder if they began to sit up. They could hear the urgency in his words. They're unaware of the significance until days later, but at this point they're confused. He's leaving them. Why is he so sad? And these words about betrayal what he's saying? Don't be troubled and trust me, you've seen what I can do. But the disciples couldn't help but feel the tension, could they?

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We continue the conversation in John 14 as he prepares them for his departure and the arrival of someone new, verse 12. I tell you the truth Anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I'm going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name and I will do it. You will do greater works. I've always loved the mystery behind these words greater things. What does that mean? After some study, I've come to learn that Jesus probably didn't mean that they would do more sensational things. I mean, he is the son of God, but he meant greater in magnitude and scope, and yet they also did do miracles and teaching this family of believers would spread his kingdom to more people in places than Jesus ever did in his life and ministry. For example, more people came to faith in Peter's first sermon than are recorded during Jesus's entire ministry. And those greater things, those words are for us as well. Those words are for us as well.

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In verse 13, jesus also says ask for anything in my name. This is a promise Jesus is making, and he's speaking about prayer. Ask for anything in my name and I will do it. This makes it seem like we can literally ask for anything wealth, health, success and just add Jesus' name to it and voila. But that isn't really the case. To pray in his name, to ask in his name, means to pray according to his character, will and authority.

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God will not grant things that are contrary to his nature or will. It's not magic for our selfishness, which means when we are sincerely following him and seeking to do his will, our requests will naturally be in line with what he wants. And that is what he will do. And he qualifies it just a bit with his next words, going back to verse 14, yes, ask me for anything in my name and I will do it. If you love me, obey my commandments. Ask anything and obey his commandments, which means love one another. Wash each other's feet, put your faith in the Father, love your enemy. Forgive as I have forgiven you. The source of our obedience to these commands is not fear or pride or even the desire to be blessed. Just because we love him, we obey him, and that in turn influences what we ask for in prayer, verse 16. And I will ask the Father and he will give you another advocate who will never leave you. He's the Holy Spirit who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him because it isn't looking for him and doesn't recognize him. But you know him because he lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans. I will come to you. Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. When I am raised to life again. You will know that I am in my Father and you are in me and I am in you. Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me, and because they love me, my Father will love them and I will love them and reveal myself to each of them, myself to each of them. Okay, they have no idea what's coming. They have heard of the Spirit, but what Jesus is speaking of will be at a level they have never experienced.

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In the Amplified Bible, the Holy Spirit is defined as helper, comforter, advocate, intercessor, counselor, strengthener, standby, and he will lead in all truth because he is the spirit of truth. And remember who's the truth? Who said I am the truth? Jesus. The Holy Spirit is the spirit of Jesus. And Jesus says you know him because he is me. Oh, the Trinity here is so clear the father, the son, the spirit. And Jesus is giving them words of assurance as well You're going to be okay, you're not going to be alone. I'm going to send you help, a comforter, one who will advocate for you, who will strengthen you. He said the spirit is with you, but will be in you. What a concept in them. This is a whole new idea for the disciples and actually for us today, as we really think about it the indwelling of the Spirit. I don't know if we will ever fully grasp what that means until we are with Him. Today, those who follow Jesus have that indwelling right. Jesus knew that His disciples, then and now, would need God's power and presence to keep living as His followers.

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Verse 22. Judas not Judas Iscariot, but the other disciple with that name said to him Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large? Jesus replied All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn't love me will not obey me. And remember my words are not my own. What I'm telling you is from the Father who sent me. I'm telling you these things now, while I'm with you, but when the Father sends the advocate as my representative, that is the Holy Spirit, he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. Again, jesus is saying love me, obey me. This is the third time in just a few verses. And anytime Jesus repeats saying love me, obey me this is the third time in just a few verses. And anytime Jesus repeats himself, we need to take notice. He's making it clear that our obedience comes from our love for him, not out of earning or proving, because there's nothing to prove. Then, in verse 26, jesus said that the Holy Spirit will teach them everything and remind them of everything he has told them. Jesus is preparing them for the writing and teaching to come. They don't know it yet, but the Holy Spirit is going to supernaturally help them remember the words of Jesus so that they could write them down, so that we could have this scripture and these words still apply today. The Holy Spirit helps us remember, remember God's promises and his purpose and his commands. He is in us to comfort, advocate, counsel and guide.

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Verse 27. I'm leaving you with a gift peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you I'm going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I'm going to the Father, who is greater than I am. I have told you these things before they happen, so that when they do happen, you will believe. I don't have much more time to talk to you because the ruler of this world approaches. He has no power over me, but I will do what the Father requires of me so that the world will know that I love the Father. Come, let's be going. Come, let's be going. Did you hear that promise? The gift of peace of mind and heart. Those who hold fast to Jesus and refuse to settle for second best, refuse compromised discipleship, will find his peace, which is a gift, and it's the kind the world can't give, because it cannot give what Jesus can Hope. Assurance of a future Love, trust.

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There were a lot of promises made in this section of verses the sending of the Holy Spirit, not being left alone, being loved, making His home in those who love me, the Holy Spirit who will teach us all things, and a gift of peace. Which one of those means the most to you and why Jesus is running out of time with them? The one who created time is limited by time because of what is to come, and he will do it because the Father requires it in order to show his love and offer salvation. This section John 14, ends with Jesus saying. Jesus saying come, let's be going. It's time to walk over to the garden for prayer.

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Dear one, jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would empower and help us.

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His presence and power are in us, which include fruit because we have the Spirit. Paul spoke of these fruit this way, as taken from the Passion Translation. But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions. Joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures, kindness in action, a life full of virtue, faith that prevails, gentleness of heart and strength of spirit.

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Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless. If the spirit is the source of our life, we must also allow the Spirit to direct every aspect of our lives. So may we never be arrogant or look down on another, for each of us is an original. We must forsake all jealousy that diminishes the value of others. Dear one, may you love in such a way that you walk in obedience to what jesus calls us to, and may you walk in the wonder of knowing that the same power that raised jesus is in you. It is at work to help you express the fruit that he brings. You are loved with a divine love that is expressed in joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. May you walk in these things, amen.