After a series of lengthy Gospel texts this Easter season, this week’s passage seems remarkably (even shockingly) brief! There is a danger in this brevity – the loss of context. So, it is worth spending a few moments reminding ourselves of the story thus far:
13:1 tells the disciples that his “departure” is imminent,
13:33, that he would be with the disciples “only a little longer.”
13:21-30, Jesus sends Judas away, knowing that betrayal is at hand.
13:26-38, Jesus foretells Peter’s triple denial.
13:36, 14:5, 8, the disciples bombard Jesus with questions.
13-17, Jesus’ “farewell discourse.”
14:1-14 (last week), Jesus assures the disciples that he goes “to prepare a place” for them.
Thus, what may appear to us as calm, and cool discourses, are in fact full of confusion and fear. The disciples are bewildered; their shock is palpable. It is in this context that Jesus (as I stated in last week’s sermon) speaks words of departure, consolation, direction, and promise, which in this passage find their personification in The Advocate.
Jesus begins by stating that love is demonstrated (lived out) through keeping his commandments. One might well ask, ‘which commandments are these?’ After all, Jesus does not actually give any commandments – other than the new commandment of love (John 13:34). However, in John’s Gospel, Jesus’ call to keep his ‘word’ or ‘words’ or ‘commandments’ all relate to the same thing – a call to have faith in the revelation of God in (and through) Jesus.
Then Jesus speaks of “another Advocate” (vs. 16). This word (Paraclete) literally means a legal advocate or assistant. This is in keeping with John‘s concept of an ongoing ‘trial’ between Jesus and the world. It is also related to Satan as the Great Accuser (Revelation 12:10) against whom we require a Great Defender which is, first and foremost, Jesus himself (the first Advocate). Now, with Jesus’ passion, death, resurrection and ascension on the horizon, the disciples will require “another Advocate” which is the Holy Spirit – the ongoing presence of Jesus within the community of faith.
Once again, the Greek word on which I focused last week, enters into Jesus’ discourse – menein,
which means ‘abide:’
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with [abide with] you forever (vs. 16).
So, when the community of faith (the people of The Way) remain, stay, endure and withstand faithfully, await with patience and faithfulness… they do not do so alone. The Holy Spirit, the continuing presence of the Risen Jesus is with them – sustaining, guiding, correcting.
It is in and through the work of the Advocate that the community of faith can continue in The Way,
which is truth, life, and love.
