“But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.”
John 16:7 NLT
When I was in my “wonder years”, I remember looking forward to going to church camp every year. My favorite part of it was all the time I got to spend hanging out with my friends. However, once it was over, there were many tears shed because we didn’t want to leave each other yet. If you’ve ever had a friend move away in your life, you probably know the depth of this feeling even more. You become so close to someone, but then life happens and for one reason or another, you have to say goodbye to someone you weren’t expecting to leave so soon.
Now imagine the feeling the disciples had when Jesus had to leave them. The Messiah, the Savior who became a great teacher and friend to them was now being called to sit at the right hand of the Father. They were upset because they believed once He came to Earth the establishment of His kingdom would be immediate and physical; they didn’t expect this to be a lifelong calling for them. To help them understand, John 16:7 says that He claimed it was best that He left, for only then could send the Holy Spirit down on them.
Through Jesus’ life and resurrection, His authority on earth was established. However, He wasn’t finished yet. When Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to the disciples and all who would confess Him as Christ, He did so He could see His Kingdom grow beyond all borders. Through His Spirit, God’s kingdom is established in the hearts of all who are born again into His covenant.
The Holy Spirit was there hovering over the waters during creation, upon Mary when she conceived Jesus, upon Jesus when He was baptized, and upon the disciples when they were in the upper room in Acts 2. When God does a new work, He sends the Holy Spirit, and He wants to do a new work through you.
Like the 12 disciples, we are called to make disciples of all nations. We do this when we are empowered by the Holy Spirit, being made new in the image of Christ, and given authority to do good and bring healing to others oppressed by the enemy. Receive this calling and let the Holy Spirit lead you into new opportunities to be an agent of His miraculous work!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we ask that you bestow us Your Holy Spirit. Transform us into a new work, not one that merely seeks forgiveness, but equipping so we can reach others as You’ve called us to do. Help us to establish Your kingdom on earth every day. Descend on us so we may experience Your Holy fire! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Extra Reading
“He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.”
John 14:17
“The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”
John 3:8
