August 27, 2020
"But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away..." (John 16:7)
It seems that it was slowing dawning on the disciples in John 16 that what Jesus said was about to come true: He was leaving.
Remember, these are the ones who had left everything to follow Christ. They knew He was the Messiah. They anticipated Him ascending to some kind of earthly throne and establishing a new kingdom and they wanted to be a part. And now, He announced He was leaving.
A GOOD LEAVING
But in John 16 He shows them the advantage of this arrangement. And then He lists at least 5 things that will only happen if He leaves and they all center around the coming of the Holy Spirit.
We know in the Old Testament era, the Spirit came upon people for service and ministry. Now, with Christ's leaving the Spirit would be given to INDWELL people all believers 24/7.
The day of Pentecost, recorded in Acts 2, ushered in this mighty invasion of God's Spirit, forever changing the way we experience Him. It is no longer “doing our best for Jesus,” or “Jesus walking beside us.” It is Jesus (in Spirit form) INSIDE US, granting us what nothing else could do and empowering us for life. As New Testament believers indwelt by the Holy Spirit, we have what the Old Testament saints longed for. As J.D. Greer said, “The Spirit inside you is better than Jesus beside you."
Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would...
COME TO US
"For if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you, but if I go, I will send Him to you." (John 16:7)
CONVICT US
“And He, when He comes will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment." (vs. 8)
GUIDE US
"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth..." (vs. 13)
SPEAK TO US
"For He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come." (vs. 13)
GLORIFY JESUS THROUGH US
"He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you." vs. 14
"Let not your heart be troubled" He told His anxious disciples. "It is to your advantage that I go away." If you have come to know Christ, His Spirit now lives in you fully. It is not a question of “How much of Christ do I have?” but, “How much of me am I allowing Christ to have?” You have, with Him in you, all you will ever need!
Father, thank You for this blessed arrangement! Thank You for placing Your Spirit in me at the moment of my salvation. Thank You that I have all the peace and power, love and grace, wisdom and understanding that I will ever need. Thank You that my salvation made me fit for heaven, but also fit for living in power on this earth. Give me grace to yield to Your Spirit’s control daily. To listen to You and respond with instant, aggressive cooperation. Bear fruit through me, dear Lord, and glorify Yourself!
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