Above and below, John, the first century eye-witness biographer of Jesus of Nazareth continues to recall what Jesus said to his disciples the night before his AD 30 crucifixion in Jerusalem. He has already said new things to them, things that they didn’t need to know while he was physically among them.
He is particularly aware that none of them have asked for his destination. He knows his ultimate destination – after the cross. They haven’t even asked.
“But because I have spoken these things to you, sorrow has filled full your heart. But I myself state to you the truth. It profits you that I come away because, if I do not come away, the advocate may not come to you. In fact, if I may depart, I will appoint him to you.”
Clearly, their heart is at rock bottom over his departure. None of them want to remain in existence without him. But he tells them an encouraging truth. He will be replaced by another – by the advocate from above. A Jersey advocate is a lawyer who looks after all the interests of his client, knows and imparts all the client needs to know, and pleads on behalf of his client in every situation.
“And, having come, that one will reprove the world concerning sin and concerning righteousness and concerning judgment.”
But this advocate will have an additional major role among the people in the world in which Jesus’ disciples will be living after he has returned to his father above. A reproving role with three facets.
|
