Teachers Rock!

Mrs. Woodham was my second-grade teacher. She was kind and patient and would answer even the most childish questions. She was smart and she knew how to impart to her second graders the things they needed to know from the textbook and from many other sources. And when we disobeyed direct orders, she disciplined us. (I stood in the corner several times that year.) I trusted her instruction and I loved her dearly. It was the only year in school that I had perfect attendance. I didn’t want to miss a day with her.

Jesus, in His farewell speech just before His arrest told His disciples:

“These things I have spoken to you while remaining with you.  But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you.” (John 14: 25-26)

So much to learn. So little time.

Three years with the Master wasn’t long enough for the disciples to learn everything Jesus wanted to teach them. He knew that their knowledge and understanding would have to be an ongoing process. That’s why He reassures His men that after He’s gone, He will send a Helper (Holy Spirit) to 1) teach them all things and to 2) remind them what they had already learned.

It seems that the Holy Spirit has several functions and commentators vary on their view of how many. But these two Jesus chose to highlight in this passage.

I think Jesus knew this was the kind of teacher He would send when He said these words. The Helper’s teaching can come from direct revelation (one-on-one), from the printed Word, and from even bad choices that we make. Christian apologist Josh McDowell writes about the Holy Spirit, “Some people believe that the Holy Spirit is the influence of good—like the ‘good force of the universe’ But the Holy Spirit is a person—the third person of the Trinity.” [i]We as students need to trust Him because He knows the textbook and He lets us learn through our bad choices. He reminds us of things He’s already taught us and sometimes we must stand in the corner to get the message.

The Message puts this passage like this:

“The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you.”

Don’t miss a day with this teacher. Listen to His teachings and take your punishment when you have strayed.

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[i] McDowell, Josh and Sean 77 FAQs about God and the Bible Harvest House © 2012