MID-WEEK MAMNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK;
July 31, 2024
The Third Person of the Godhead Series – Part 21
HIS EFFICIENCY: COMFORTS, STRENGTHENS COMPREHENSION, UNDERSTANDING, MEMORY
Read John 14:26 and 16:13, 14 first. Now this from the inspired pen (all emphasis and bracketed words supplied):
“At all times and in all places, in all sorrows and afflictions, when the outlook seems dark and the future perplexing, and we feel helpless and alone, the COMFORTER will be sent in answer to the PRAYER OF FAITH. Circumstances may separate us from every earthly friend; but NO circumstances, no distance, CAN SEPARATE US FROM THE HEAVENLY COMFORTER [the Third Person of the Godhead].
“The disciples still FAILED TO UNDERSTAND Christ’s words in their SPIRITUAL SENSE, and again HE explained His meaning. By the [Holy] Spirit, He said, He would MANIFEST HIMSELF to them. ‘The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall TEACH you all things.’ NO MORE will you say, I cannot comprehend. NO LONGER will you ‘see through a glass (mirror) darkly.’ [1 Cor. 13: 12]. You shall be able TO COMPREHEND with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to KNOW THE LOVE OF CHRIST, which passeth knowledge.’ Eph. 3:18,19.
“The disciples were to BEAR WITNESS to the life and work of Christ. Through THEIR WORD He was to SPEAK to all people on the face of the earth. BUT in the humiliation and death of Christ they were to SUFFER great trial and disappointment. That AFTER this experience their word might be ACCURATE, Jesus promised that the Comforter should ‘bring all things to REMEMBRANCE, whatsoever I have said unto you.’
‘I have yet SO MANY THINGS to say unto you,’ He continued, ‘BUT YE CANNOT BEAR THEM NOW. Howbeit, when HE, THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH, IS COME, He will guide you into ALL TRUTH: for He shall NOT speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall He HEAR, that shall He SPEAK; and He will show you THINGS TO COME. He shall GLORIFY Me: for He shall RECEIVE of Mine, and shall SHOW it unto you.’ (John 16:13,14).
“Jesus had opened before His disciples a VAST TRACT OF TRUTH. But it was MOST DIFFICULT for them [and us, too!] to keep His lessons DISTINCT from the TRADITIONS AND MAXIMS of the scribes [Jewish religious scholars] and Pharisees. They [the first disciples themselves] had been EDUCATED to accept the teachings of the rabbis as THE VOICE OF GOD, and it still HELD A POWER OVER THEIR MINDS, and MOLDED THEIR SENTIMENTS. EARTHLY IDEAS, TEMPORAL THINGS, still held a large place in their thoughts.
“They did NOT UNDERSTAND the SPIRITUAL NATURE OF CHRIST’S KINGDOM [how about us today?] though He had SO OFTEN explained it to them. THEIR MINDS HAD BECOME CONFUSED. [Such is the soul-destroying results of the doctrinal Babylonian confusion warned of in Revelation!]
“They did NOT COMPREHEND THE VALUE of the Scriptures Christ presented. [even much worse today]. Many of His lessons seemed ALMOST LOST upon them.
“Jesus saw that they did not lay hold of the REAL MEANING of His words. HE COMPASSIONATELY PROMISED that the HOLY SPIRIT SHOULD RECALL THESE SAYINGS TO THEIR MINDS.
“And He had LEFT UNSAID MANY THINGS that could not be comprehended by His disciples. THESE ALSO WOULD BE OPENED TO THEM BY THE [Holy] SPIRIT. The Spirit was to QUICKEN ThEIR UNDERSTANDING, that they might have an appreciation of HEAVENLY things.” - E. G. White, Desire of Ages, pp. 669-71, Pacific Press Publishing Asso., New Ed., Thirteenth Printing, April, 1950. To be continued next MWM, God willing. Plead for the daily baptism of the Holy Spirit, with fire! For “Wherever sin is, our God is a consuming fire!” Bless all, NMF.