Advent reminds us to prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ. But the significance of Christ’s work extends even further than Himself. John 14:16 says, “And I will ask the Father and He will give you another counselor to be with you forever.” This verse contains all three persons of the Trinity: Christ as the Intercessor, God as the Giver, and the Holy Spirit as the Counselor.
When we lived in Lubbock, a dear lady named Roberta was our tiny church plant’s resident intercessor. If she said, “I’ll pray for you,” you knew that she was going to faithfully and continually pray. One time I tearfully told her that we were wanting a baby, and she held my hand and prayed for me. God answered that prayer later that year. Not everyone has a Roberta, but we ALL have Christ to intercede to God on our behalf. Romans 8:34 says, “Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”
Not only is Christ interceding, but God the Creator, who is powerful and good, is listening. James 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” God is a giver of good things, and the best gift of all is the Holy Spirit, or in this verse, the Counselor.
Other translations of the Bible give different words for the term Counselor: Comforter, Helper, Advocate, Companion. Jesus knew that life is hard, and we desperately need someone to fill these roles. We need a counselor who listens and guides us. In times of loss or grief, we need someone to walk alongside and provide comfort. When we are overwhelmed with all the things, we need a helper. An advocate will plead our case when we cannot. And when loneliness haunts us, the Holy Spirit is our Companion. This Advent, we can celebrate the fullness of the Trinity.
Amanda Newsom