Jesus is Essential
John 16:5–7: “But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless 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 depart, I will send Him to you.
Why was it best for the Lord Jesus to leave? His purpose in coming to this world was to die “The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” When this was accomplished, He went back to the Father because He had finished the work He was sent to do. Then, there is another reason: when He came to this earth, He took upon Himself our humanity. God is omnipresent, but Jesus limited Himself by becoming a man.
That means that, when He was in Galilee, He could not be down in Bethany. Remember that Mary and Martha reminded Him of that when they said that, if He had been there, their brother would not have died. In other words, if the Lord Jesus were in the world today in His human body, He couldn’t be here where I am and with you where you are at the same time. Therefore, He tells them He will send the Holy Spirit to them. The Holy Spirit will be in all places. He is right with me today and He is with you today. Jesus says this is better. He will send the Comforter, the Paraclete, and He will come to us and dwell in us. 1
Walking with Jesus
Instead of sorrow filling your heart, ask the Holy Spirit to fill your heart. Read Ephesians 5:15-21. Then respond to Him with thankful praise and words that encourage others.
But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. John 7:39
He departed from the earth, so He could indwell every believer on earth.
Praying
Lord, thank You for never separating Yourself from us. We need You desperately.
1. McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Gospels (John 11-21) (electronic ed., Vol. 39). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
