A CRAZY STATEMENT

Contained in today’s reading, in my opinion, is one of the most counter-intuitive statements in all of Scripture.  Jesus, while talking to His disciples, said, ‘it is to your advantage that I go away’ (Jn. 16:7).  This One Who had fed the masses with a little bread and some fish, Who had raised the dead, walked on water, healed the lame, calmed the storms….would be leaving AND, He said, it was GOOD for the disciples that He was leaving!  He told them that if He did not leave, the Holy Spirit would not come (Jn. 16:7).
 
This statement and conversation with the King must have devastated Jesus’ followers.  Even reading it today causes me to wonder, ‘Is it really to my advantage that Jesus is not physically on the earth continuing to do miracles and teaching God’s truth?’  But I can only say what Jesus said, IT IS TO MY ADVANTAGE.  The Scripture states that the Holy Spirit takes up residence in the lives of His followers (1 Cor. 6:19), gives them strength and leads them into all truth (Eph. 3:16; Jn. 16:13). 
 
We take too often take the Holy Spirit for granted.  We too often fail to rely on the strength He supplies us.  We too often fail to acknowledge His presence in our lives.  We believe, wrongly, that if Jesus were physically present things in our lives and on this planet would be different.  As we are going to have confirmed for us this coming Sunday in the message from 2 Peter, His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness.  Commit yourself to walk daily in the power of the Holy Spirit allowing Him to control you (Eph. 5:18) and guide you into increasing aspects of Christlikeness.