Coming of the advocate

Jesus said to his disciples: “Now I am going to the one who sent me, and not one of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts. But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes he will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation: sin, because they do not believe in me; righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.”

REFLECTION HE WILL CONVICT THE WORLD. Parakletos or advocate—someone called alongside to help—has a wide range of meanings: defense attorney, intercessor, or spokesperson. Here in John’s Gospel, the Spirit as parakletos is rather a teacher/revealer, a witness to Jesus, and a prosecutor of the world.

As prosecutor, the Spirit will convict the “world” (those who oppose and persecute Jesus) about sin, righteousness, and condemnation. In John, sin is refusal to believe in Jesus who has manifested “signs” that he is from God. The Spirit will also testify to the “righteousness” of Jesus; Jesus’ glorification after his death will prove that he is God’s Son and his life and mission are indeed righteous. Lastly, in Jesus’ “condemnation” to death, it is really the devil, “the ruler of the world,” that is condemned and destroyed because by his death and resurrection, Jesus destroys the devil’s grip on the world and human beings. O Lord, come to my assistance; hasten to help me!