Comfort, a word that brings thoughts of peace and ease. The dictionary says comfort is a state of physical ease and freedom from pain or constraint, the easing or alleviation of a person’s feelings of grief or distress. As we approach Christmas many are hurting and need comfort. Some will sit at the table with an empty chair for their holiday meal. Grief can be an emotion that can consume us to the point we can’t feel anything else. It can control everything about us if we let it. However, God does not leave us there, he will comfort us.
Our church has been blessed in the last four years with babies, babies, babies! If you work the nursery, you get a clear picture of how much God has blessed us with new lives to influence for him. Sometimes a baby will be fussy, and it seems nothing we can do will comfort them. However, Mom can arrive on the scene and there is a peace that engulfs that little one. The baby knows the sound, feel smell, and touch of the mother. There is instant comfort in her arms. This word picture reminds me of how we as Christians have that internal instinct to turn to Jesus for our comfort. The one who understands us better than we understand ourselves. He knew when he left we would need his presence with us to continue a path that leads to heaven. His disciples were confused and upset at the thought of His leaving. They loved, trusted, and depended on this loving Master. Now he was telling them he was leaving! He knew the time was getting short on this earth, and He tells them he will pray for them.
John 14:16 “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever;”
John 16:7 “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”
He explains that he would not leave them comfortless, but for him to leave would be better for them. Jesus could only be in one place at a time. He had a physical body, he was God in the flesh. However, when he leaves, he will send the Holy Spirit to live within them, all of them, and any others that will accept him. The Holy Spirit would be forevermore an indweller. A Comforter that could give inward peace no matter what the storm.
John 14:18 “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”
He assures them he would not leave them comfortless. The Greek word here means “orphans.” He is addressing them as children. Just as a mother provides for her baby, food, protection, and comfort, He would provide for them. Not just for the present time, but for the future. They would be sustained in His absence by an indwelling of His Spirit, the Holy Spirit. The great Comforter!
After His death and resurrection, he comes to them again.
John 20:19 “Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.”
He knows their fear and wants to comfort them and assure them they are not alone. He breathes on them and gives them the power of the Holy Spirit that brings comfort. They do not get the power of the Holy Spirit to witness until the Day of Pentecost. However, our loving Savior gave them what they needed when they needed it.
He assures them that not only will they be comforted in the present world, but that he would come again and take them to Heaven, where they would be together forever.
John 14:3 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
How assuring it is to know that he is in me and with me always. He comforts in grief, in pain, and in stressful situations. He allows my heart to be at peace when I truly believe he is there within me, comforting me.
If you are feeling stressed, alone, or whatever uncomfortable feeling you may be having, there are only two possible reasons you feel that way. One, if you are not truly saved, you will not have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. You will not have the Comforter. Two, you are not trusting God and taking Him at His word. Trust Him, believe he will do what he said he will do. The Comforter is there if you will just trust. Stop doubting, for doubt is not of faith. God loved you enough to send you a Comforter, but he will not take charge until you allow him to.
