Jesus said, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you.” (John 16:7) The Greek word that is used for the English word “expedient” means something that is necessary or profitable. Can you imagine the expression on the faces of the apostles when Jesus spoke these words to them? He tells them that “it is to your advantage” (NKJV) that He depart back to the Father in heaven, and in His place, send The Comforter. How in the world can it be profitable for Jesus to leave them? Therein lies my shallow understanding of the Person and power of The Holy Spirit.
What a tremendous study it is to peruse the Scriptures and read about the work of The Holy Spirit of God! From Genesis 1:2 to Revelation 22:17, The Person and works of The Holy Spirit are revealed. We could go on for weeks and just touch on the many Scriptures that reveal the ministry of The Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. For we who have been redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19; Ephesians 1:7) have the incredible privilege of being temples of The Holy Ghost (1 Corinthians 3:16). The very same Spirit Who raised Jesus from the dead dwells within us (Romans 8:11).
Meditate on the blessed truth of The Holy Spirit dwelling in you. It is the very power of The Spirit Himself which equips (1 Corinthians 12:7) and enables (Acts 1:8) each and every saint for the work that God calls them to fulfill. “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7) And Jesus said that The Comforter will abide with us forever (John 14:16). Now we see why Jesus calls the sending of The Holy Spirit expedient or profitable. Whereas Jesus, as Son of Man, could only be in one place at a time, The Holy Spirit of God is not limited to a location. He is at work in the world (John 16:7-9), and He is at work in the life of every believer and in every congregation that gathers in The Name of Jesus (Ephesians 2:20-22). Oh how we need to look to The Spirit of God for all of the resources that we need in order to do God’s will God’s way (Zechariah 4:6).
Dear church family, deeply ponder the revelation that it was expedient for Jesus to depart in order to send The Spirit of God to us. Only Jesus could fulfill the redemptive work of The Father (John 19:30), but the works that Jesus did on earth continue to be carried on (John 14:12) as we walk in The Spirit (Galatians 5:16) and do those good works for the glory of God (Matthew 5:16).
