But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; 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)
Most, if not all of us see no advantage that Jesus is not physically walking among us. I would imagine that his disciples didn’t. What could possibly be better than having Jesus with us, talking to us in a way we are used to hearing and teaching us His ways. Wouldn’t it be great if He could show His power in our local communities?
Why would sending the Helper be better? The Holy Spirit comes to each believer individually and also corporately the the local and universal church. If Jesus walked among us today, we would probably not be in His close circle of 12 disciples or even in the bigger circle of 70 followers. Would we even have Him alone to talk with Him or have Him visit our local church? The Holy Spirit is with each believer 100% of the time. Jesus was not! Through us and by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus is building His church in every nation, tribe and tongue.
And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment. (John 16:8)
But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; 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. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. (John 16:13-14)
I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. (John 14:16-18)
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. (John 14:26)
When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me. (John 15:26)
n the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. (Romans 8:26)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. (Acts 1:8)
Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. (John 14:12)
We have so many promises that show us the advantage of Jesus leaving and sending the Helper! I guess our problem is that we are used to the physical world and relationships with physical beings. Our disadvantage is that we have to learn a new way of relating and communicating. But this too gets us ready for the greatest time that is coming for “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24)
