John 16:5-16

When situations arise that are difficult for young children to understand, like death or divorce, they are told by adults, "Someday you will understand." The grownups explain that daddy is going to live somewhere else, or grandmother is going to Heaven. Youngsters don't understand much about those difficult situations, they only know that they are sad. They might ask questions like, "Can't I go too?"

Here we find Jesus preparing His disciples for something they won't understand. Jesus is telling them He will be leaving them soon and none of them ask where He is going. Like little children, they only feel their own pain and grief. How often are we grown-ups just like the disciples?

Often, to help a child, or even an adult, handle painful situations, it is necessary to ask for help, to call in a counselor to help sort through the situation and come to grips with all the change taking place in our lives. Jesus explains to his beloved friends that He will be sending The Holy Spirit, the Comforter, to be their guide. The Holy Spirit is coming to help the disciples understand and prepare them for the job ahead.

John 16:13 (MSG) "But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is. He won't draw attention to himself, but will make sense out of what is about to happen and, indeed, out of all that I have done and said."

Once we accept Jesus Christ, we too received the Holy Spirit, the One who makes things clearer and guides us from a sinful path. It is the Holy Spirit who comforts and convicts and communicates to our hearts and spirits.

Read John 16:5-16 here

Listen to John 16:5-16 here