In John 16:13 Jesus tells His apostles that the Spirit of Truth is coming and when He does He will guide them into all truth. Notice three other places where this word "guide" is used. The first is Matthew 15:14/Lk.6:39. Jesus says that the Jewish leaders are blind guides, and if the blind lead the blind then they will both fall into a ditch. I am constantly amazed at well-trained guide dogs for the blind. A blind person can travel across town with an experienced canine companion, crossing streets, walking around obstacles, avoiding unexpected hindrances, all without chasing a stray cat. These dogs are trained to get their friend to where they are going without harm. Blind dogs do not make good guide dogs. Just saying!
The second place I find "guide" is in the story of Philip and the Ethiopian. This African is riding along in his chariot reading Isaiah 53 in his new KJV (I threw that in to see if you were listening) without understanding who was the subject of the text. Philip asks if he understands his reading, and Candace's treasurer says, "How can I unless someone guides me?" That chariot was heading for a theological ditch until Philip arrived. He now has a guide, and the rest is history, i.e. a new brother in Christ.
The third Scripture in Revelation 7:17 is about a shepherd who guides the sheep to springs of water. How important is that? A large part of the shepherd's job is to get the sheep to places of survival, from one oasis to another.
There is something in common in these passages. Is the idea of structure. "How so?" you ask. Another word for a guide is an instructor. Do you see the our word? Structor! An instructor bring structure into a person's other wise destructive life. Do you see structure in destructive? An instructor who gives instruction leads to construction or reconstruction, not destruction, unless something causes an obstruction. A guide in concrete work frames the path, putting limits on the wet, poured concrete so that it actually forms a clear, smooth, consistent pathway. This is what the Spirit of Truth is doing. He provides a framework for the disciples' learning, setting boundaries. He tells them to go here, not there; look at this, not that; stop here, go there, listen to this, ignore that, pursue this, and run from this. Philip brought structure into the life of the eunuch. The framework looked like a cross. When this man was baptized he became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which he was committed. (Rom.6:17)
Jesus' aim in sending the Spirit was not merely to provide them with a written New Testament, but to provide them through the work of the Spirit a newly shaped life. Just as a personal trainer reshapes your body; just as a coach reshapes a team; just as drill sergeant reshapes a man to be a fighter, so the Holy Spirit reconstructs us according to truth. He is keeping us out of the ditches and on the road which leads to living water. Do you need that kind of structure in your life?
