Names for God: Devotions From Time of GraceSample

Paraclete

I love the richness and historical sweep of the story of the Christian church. But I hasten to add that I feel a little compassion for newbies to the faith who run into a multilingual buzz saw when they hear the liturgy and sing the old hymns for the first time. It must sound like insider talk only for those who know Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.

One of those obscure but beautiful terms is Jesus’ special name for the Holy Spirit, which admittedly sounds like a set of track shoes. On the night of his betrayal and arrest, he gave his nervous disciples big news about a coming gift: “All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate [Greek Parákletos], the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:25, 26).

The Greek verb on which this unique name is built means to function as a coach. What do good coaches do for their players? They teach. They plan. They prepare. They yell. They encourage. They console.

All that is exactly what the Holy Spirit does for believers. The Paraclete comes to live in you the moment you are baptized and begins his coaching work. You, too, can expect teaching, scolding, encouragement, guidance, pushing, and comfort from the third person of the Trinity.

He does all that not to beat you down or drive you crazy. He does all that to develop the gifts he’s given you.