A Better Plan

 “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." (John 16:7)

There were things that Jesus' disciples could not do as long as He remained with them. Had Jesus remained on the earth, the Holy Spirit would never have been sent to abide with them and dwell in their hearts. They would have never received the power and ministry of the living Christ, and they would have never taken their eyes off Him to see the needy souls all around them. Still, it did not seem right to them that Jesus would leave. After all, He promised never to leave or forsake them, and He always keeps His promises — yet, He was going away. They did not realize He was preparing their hearts to be the temple He would dwell in by His Spirit. He would come again; this time to dwell within and remain forever.

 

Sometimes it seems that Jesus has gone away and left us in this mean and cruel world to fend for ourselves, but that is not true. He has gone to the Father and sent the Holy Spirit, and now He is present throughout the world in our hearts and His church. While He was on earth, His presence was localized in His physical body — but through us, Jesus is everywhere, and the Gospel is lived and preached wherever we go.

 

Today, Jesus is seated at the right hand of God; and yet, He is alive and well on earth — that is, in us who are filled with His Spirit. That is the advantage Christ spoke of when he said it was best that He went away, so that He could send His Spirit, who will never go away. As long as He abides in our hearts, His love abounds through us, and there is hope for this dark and desperate world. That is the Good News, and that is God's plan. His plan is a good plan. 

 

Let's Pray - Father, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit, who is given to me as a guarantee of all You promised me -- life everlasting. In Jesus alone, Amen.