Paraklete

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“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning
John 15:26–27, ESV

As Lutherans, we confess that we cannot come to know God except through the Holy Spirit who reveals the Father and the Son to us. The Holy Spirit reveals for us the truth of our God and through the proclamation of the Word the Holy Spirit opens hearts and minds to the faith that we hold. As Christians, we don’t bear witness to God alone, but we bear witness to Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit as He gives us the words which we then share with those that need to hear them. These words were first given to Jesus’ first disciples, but it is carried on through us as we go out into the world proclaiming the truth of Jesus Christ. The term translated as helper is from the Greek parakletos which could also be translated as advocate or counselor and is one commonly used in a legal sense for persons that are lawyers or advisors who will represent and guide you in a trial. We are never left to our own devices by our Lord. We do not come to God through our own power or volition, but our God is the actor calling us to Himself. As we walk with God, we are prepared not only to witness to all who need to know Christ but confidently walk in the knowledge that we have one who defends us and will bring us into the eternal peace of the heavenly Kingdom when judgment is given. We know that we will all be judged, but we have the promised Holy Spirit from our Lord that will carry us through the final trial and is with us in the trials we face here on earth. Let us stand firm in the Word and trust in our Lord as He is revealed to us. Never hold back the Word from any who needs to hear it either out of fear or distrust. Trust in the proclamation given to us and let it ever be your guide.

Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.