Chapters 13 to 17 of John's gospel cover Jesus' farewell discourse with his disciples. In 14:18-31 Jesus speaks of his going to the Father, which going enables the coming of the Holy Spirit, both to manifest Jesus again to his disciples and teach them all things.

v22. Judas (not Iscariot - possibly the brother of James) is puzzled. He thought that Messiah would inevitably manifest (display / reaveal himself) in glory before all humanity. He therefore asks how it is that Messiah will only manifest himself to the disciples, and not the world.

v23. Jesus' answer is that he (together with the Father) only manifests himself to (reveals himself in the sense of comes to, makes his home with, enters into a permanent intimate relationship with) those who love him and those who love him obey his teachings. Actually, loving and obeying mean much the same thing, and given the context of the gospel, "obey" (lit. "keep my word") means the same as "believes in", or "comes to" Jesus.

v24. On the other hand, those who do not love Jesus, do not keep his words, do not believe, are rejecting, not just Jesus, but the Father, the source of the divine revelation in Christ.

v25. In this final moment with his disciples, Jesus is able to teach them some very powerful truths. Yet, this is not the end of his teaching ministry.

v26. Jesus goes on to speak of the one who will carry on his teaching ministry. The Father will send the Holy Spirit (later we are told he comes/proceeds from Jesus as well) and he will "teach you all things." The "you" here are the disciples. For us, the New Testament is the fulfilment of this promise.

This verse gives us some deep insights into the person of the Holy Spirit. He is the Paraclete. The Greek Fathers translated the word to mean "consoler", "comforter". Westcott says "the word is used technically for the advocates of a party in a cause, and specifically for advocates for the defence." Knox says it means "another to befriend you"; he is one who is close beside us and speaks with us for Christ - bears witness to Christ, convinces, teaches us... He is, of course, the Holy Spirit. As to the Spirit's character, power is not the emphasis, rather it is holiness. His task is to teach. "All things" probably means "all that is necessary for the church to know."

v27. In introducing the word "peace", Jesus is not broaching a new subject. Peace is a blessing that results from the coming of the Holy Spirit. A Greek understood "peace" in the sense of an absence of war, and regularly used the word in greetings in the sense of a wishful hope. For a Jew it conjured up the promised blessings of the kingdom of God, particularly the blessing of God's intimate involvement in their lives. This is how Jesus is using the word and why such peace can still a troubled heart and overcome fear.

v28. Jesus' imminent departure has saddened the disciples, but as his going means a coming to the Father (a reunion with the Father), then it should fill them with joy.

"The Father is greater than I" is a problem statement. The subordination of one member of the trinity to another, seems to undermine the notion that all members are equal in authority. Jesus is probably referring to his role as the obedient servant of God on our behalf.

v29. When the Spirit comes, then Jesus' words will be verified and the disciples will be filled with joy.

The issue Jesus deals within this passage concerns his "manifestation" to the disciples, but not to the world. This is the point of Judus' (not Iscariot) question. Jesus is about to leave the disciples, but he will come again soon and reveal himself to them. He reveals himself to those who believe in him. In fact, this manifestation is of the Father as well as the Son - "we will come". It is in the coming of the Holy Spirit that both the Father and the Son make their home with the disciple.

The Holy Spirit intimately involves himself with each believer, and this association is similar to a personal friendship with Jesus. The relationship is experienced primarily through the advocacy of the Holy Spirit. He speaks with us in the conflicts of life, advising and aiding us in the struggle. He stands beside us. As Jesus put it, "I will be with you always." The aid is revelational. He "teaches us all things." That is, he gives us the information we need to know in our life as a disciple of Christ. This revelation comes through the principles outlined in scripture, which is the Spirit inspired Word of God. Through the word-ministries (prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers) this revelation is made known to the fellowship of believers, whose task is then to prayerfully consider the word and apply it in their daily life.

A believer is not alone in the struggle of life. The Spirit of Christ is beside us all the way, informing, directing and guiding. We are therefore, able to face life free from fear. Life may compound at times, but the path to glory is clearly before us because the Master leads us onward. Peace therefore surrounds us, even at moments of deepest loss. We can rest in the knowledge that Jesus is holding our hand.

1. How does Jesus show himself to disciples only?

2. What is the function of the Holy Spirit?

3. Discuss "teach you all things." What does this mean?