John 14:16–18, 20
A conversation between a teacher and Mary of Bethany, called “Bethany.”
- Where It Happened and When
“Let me take you into the moment. Jesus is in the Upper Room in Jerusalem, just before He goes to Gethsemane. It’s Passover night. This is His final conversation with His disciples before the cross.”
The Teacher: “Sister Bethany, does it help you to picture Jesus speaking these words in such an intimate, urgent moment?”
Bethany replied in tears: “Yes.”
The Teacher: “Then let’s read what Jesus actually said.”
John 14:16–18, 20 (NKJV)
“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—
the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him;
but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me.
Because I live, you will live also.
At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.”
The Teacher: “Bethany, these are not distant words. Jesus spoke them with you in mind as well. So, which phrase stands out to you most—‘another Helper,’ ‘Spirit of truth,’ ‘I will not leave you orphans,’ or ‘I in you’? And why?”
Bethany replied: “Teacher, I need to understand each one.”
The Teacher: “Before we go deeper, I want you to know these verses are found in the earliest manuscripts—Papyrus 66, Papyrus 75, Codex Vaticanus, and Codex Sinaiticus. These witnesses show that Jesus truly said these things.
Does it strengthen your confidence knowing His words are historically reliable and carefully preserved?”
Bethany replied: “Wow, this is studying like a scholar.”
The Teacher laughed softly: “Yes—scholarship, but with passion for Christ.”
“When Jesus says, ‘I will pray the Father,’ He speaks with certainty. When He asks, the Father answers. This is the confidence He wants you to have when you pray.”
The Teacher continued: “So how does this change the way you think about praying to your Father? Will you pray as one pleading, begging, or asking with doubts and fear?”
Bethany replied: “Yes—with doubts, because I am not Jesus.”
The Teacher: “You are right, you are not Jesus. But by the end of this study you will know the truth, because the truth is already within you.”
“Jesus promised another Helper—meaning someone exactly like Him. The Spirit continues Jesus’ ministry in your life. He teaches, guides, strengthens, heals, and leads.
Have you ever thought of the Holy Spirit as the One who continues Jesus’ work in you personally?”
Bethany replied: “Yes, teacher. I am starting to understand. So the Spirit is a ‘He’.”
The Teacher: “Yes. Jesus did not promise temporary help. He promised Someone who stays. Your strength, your growth, your transformation come from His constant presence.”
Bethany replied: “So the Spirit lives in us. If Jesus is the truth, then the Spirit of truth is one with Him. Is that why Jesus said, ‘I am in you’?”
The Teacher: “Yes, Bethany. He is closer than you can imagine—present in every part of your being.
Do you find comfort in knowing the Holy Spirit never leaves you, even when you feel weak or disconnected?”
Bethany replied: “Yes. So I am a spirit in this body, and He also resides in me. That makes three of us.”
The Teacher smiled: “Yes. And we will study ‘the three’ another day. Is that all right?”
Bethany replied: “I can’t wait, Teacher.”
The Teacher: “The world cannot receive Him because the world lives only by sight. But Jesus says you know Him. You recognise His leading, His voice, His peace.
Before the resurrection, the Spirit was with the disciples. After the resurrection, He would be in them. That same indwelling is given to you.
What difference do you think it makes when the Spirit lives inside a person rather than simply being around them? This is the New Covenant.”
Bethany replied: “Yes, I am beginning to see the difference between the Old and the New Covenant. I don’t need a prophet or a man to speak to God for me. I have direct access to my Father.”
The Teacher: “Good. Jesus said, ‘I will not leave you orphans.’ Through the Spirit, He comes to you. You are never abandoned, never forgotten, never left to fight alone.”
“Bethany, have there been moments when you felt spiritually alone? What does Jesus’ promise mean to you now?”
Bethany replied: “Yes. Jesus is always with me, and I can rely on Him as my Comforter who abides in me. That is so reassuring.”
The Teacher: “This is the union with God—the heart of this teaching.
Jesus says, ‘I am in My Father, you are in Me, and I in you.’ This is the foundation of all ministry and all spiritual life. You are joined to God through Christ. This is not theory; it is reality.”
“What does it mean to you that Jesus is not only with you but in you? How does that shape the way you relate to Him?”
Bethany replied: “It means the Spirit of Christ is within me. I can speak to Him as if I were speaking to myself in the mirror, knowing He hears, knows my joy and sorrow, and answers my call. He is my Redeemer.”
The Teacher: “This is why, when you fast, you become more aware of this truth. Your flesh quiets down, and your spirit becomes sensitive to the Spirit. You begin to hear the Helper, recognise the Spirit of truth, and sense Jesus within you.”
“During fasting, spiritual clarity becomes alive. That is what will awaken in you.”
“We are coming to the end of this teaching. I want you to ponder these things until we meet again. Will you do that?”
Bethany replied: “Yes, I will.”
The Teacher: “Everything Jesus said in these verses is for you. The Spirit is with you and in you. Jesus has not left you. You are united with Him beyond emotion or circumstance.
Which truth from this conversation will you hold onto and walk in from today onward?”
Bethany replied: “All of them, because I want Christ in my life.”
The Teacher paused, then asked gently,
“Bethany, after everything you have learned today, do you feel you will pray differently now? Will you pray with confidence, knowing the Helper is in you, Jesus is with you, and the Father hears you?”
Bethany replied: “Yes, Teacher. I will pray differently. I know now that I am not alone when I pray. The Spirit helps me, Christ is in me, and the Father listens.”
The Teacher nodded:
“Good. Hold onto that truth.
And in our next lesson, we shall learn about ‘The Three Are One.’”