Instead of being consumed with sorrow, the disciples should have been filled with joy to know that Jesus’ earthly mission was almost over and His return to heavenly glory near.
The disciples should have been comforting Jesus, who was about to be handed over to death on the cross.
The Holy Spirit, who was with the disciples but would soon be in them, is referred to here as the “Helper”. The Greek word for Helper is paraklētos meaning intercessor, consoler, advocate, and comforter.
The Holy Spirit would come after the Lord’s departure to comfort the disciples and empower them to bear witness to the truth concerning Christ to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8
If the disciples would have fully comprehended where Jesus was going and that He and the Father would send them another Helper who would be in them forever, they would not have been so sorrowful. Jesus had already assured them that he was not going to leave them as orphans.
II. THE HOLY SPIRIT CONVICTS THE WORLD 16:8-11
The Holy Spirit did not only come to minister to believers, but also to the unbelieving world.
In the context, the word “convict” refers to being convinced of the reality of sin and judgment and the need for Christ’s righteousness.
The Holy Spirit convicts the world concerning three things:
1. He convicts the world concerning sin.
It is the Holy Spirit who convinces men that they are sinners and in need of a Savior. In fact, no one can be saved apart from the Spirit’s convicting and regenerating work.
It is the ministry of the Holy Spirit to penetrate hearts immersed in sin and overcome the sinners’ resistance to the gospel, leading them to faithin Christ.
2. The Holy Spirit convicts the world of the need for righteousness.
The righteousness here is that which belongs to Jesus Christ by nature as the holy Son of God.
It is the Holy Spirit who reveals the truth that all man’s so-called acts of righteousness are as filthy rags before a holy God, and that acceptance before God is impossible apart from being clothed by faith in the righteousness of Christ alone. Titus 3:5-6
Through the sovereign operation of the Holy Spirit, sinners are brought to see their utter sinfulness and Christ’s perfect righteousness and respond to the gospel in genuine faith. They exchange their sin for Christ’s righteousness which alone can make them right with God.
3. Finally, the Holy convicts the world concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.
The sober warning to those who embrace the world system is that since its ruler (Satan) will not escape judgment, neither will they, unless they repent. The Devil’s fate guarantees the judgment of every unrepentant sinner.
Those whom the Spirit brings to repentance from sin and to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will spend eternity in the inexpressible glory and joy of heaven. Yet in this life they will face fiery trials and tribulation for going against this world system and daring to follow Christ without compromise.
III. THE HOLY SPIRIT REVEALS THE TRUTH 16:12-15
Even after three years of intensive instruction, Jesus had more things to teach the disciples, but, in their spiritual and emotional condition, they would not be able to bear it.
The agent of Christ’s further revelation to the disciples would be the Spirit of truth. 1 Corinthians 2:9-13
Only the Holy Spirit, since He is God, knows all that God knows, and thus is qualified to reveal divine truth to man.
Because it is impossible for the Spirit of truth to inspire error, the Bible is without error. To argue otherwise is an affront to the holy nature of the God who inspired it, who breathed it. 2 Timothy 3:16-17;1 Peter 1:19-21
The Holy Spirit’s leading will always be consistent with God’s revealed will in the Bible; He will never lead anyone to violate the principles of God’s Word. When He speaks, He speaks through the Scriptures that He inspired.
Having promised that the Spirit would reveal the truth to the disciples, the Lord then gave them the ultimate purpose of the Holy Spirit’s revelation: He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.
The Holy Spirit’s ministry is to glorify Jesus Christ by disclosing the truth about Him, just as Christ glorified the Father by revealing truth about Him.
It is Christ’s glory revealed on the pages of Scripture that the Holy Spirit uses to mold believers into the image of Jesus Christ. Corinthians 3:18
If it is the Spirit’s purpose to glorify Christ in revelation, how can it be any less our purpose to glorify Christ by life and proclamation?
