FALLING
DOWN BESIDE US

Topics: Caring; Comfort; Help; Holy Spirit

Reference: John 14:16–18

The Karre language of equatorial Africa was difficult for the translators of the New Testament, especially when it came to the word Paraclete. How could they describe the Holy Spirit?

One day the translators saw a group of porters going off into the bush carrying bundles on their heads. They noticed one didn’t carry anything. They assumed he was the boss, who was present to make sure the others did their work. However, they discovered he was not the boss. Rather, he was present so that, should anyone fall over with exhaustion, this man would pick up the man’s load and carry it for him. This porter was known in the Karre language as “the one who falls down beside us.”

The translators had their word for Paraclete.

—Ian Coffey, “Deep Impact,” Keswick ’99 (OM Publishing)