John 16:4-8
Yes, I’m telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember my warning. I didn’t tell you earlier because I was going to be with you for a while longer. “But now I am going away to the one who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you. 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. And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.
During this time of year we joyously celebrate the life and legacy of our Lord Jesus Christ. We reminiscent his sacrifice at Calvary and rejoice at his victory over death, hell and the grave. But there’s an additional reason we should be celebrating this morning. We ought to be rejoicing that Jesus went back to the Father to receive the honor and glory he so richly deserved; and in return sent to us the Comforter, Advocate, aka the Holy Ghost.
I don’t know about you, but this is a lesson I’ve overlooked far too long. Not that his life, death and resurrection aren’t monumentally important, or his return of utmost significance. But the central plan concerning the salvation of humanity is rooted in our being conformed to the image and likeness of Christ. Nothing is more vital than understanding the depths with which our Father went to redeem us. He was willing to sacrifice his Son. The same Son that was with Him in the beginning. The same Son that was the craftsman of creation and founder of civilization. That Son died for you and me. But sent to us his Spirit to carry on. That’s certainly worth celebrating.
In studying the book of John you find in story after story Jesus challenging each of the people he interacted with to make a choice. He made what may be considered outlandish claims and impossible professions, only to back them up with miracles, signs and wonders. Leaving the onlooker only two options. Believe or not believe. John brilliantly weaves the story of Christ around his seven “I Am” statements that he backed up with power and substance. Jesus declared “I am” the bread of life (6:35), the light of the world (8:12), the door (10:7), the good shepherd (10:11, 14), the resurrection and the life (11:25), the way the truth and the life (14:6) and the true vine (15:1). We that have received his Spirit have experienced each of these. Have we not?
But not only have we experienced them, we now embody them. In us lives the evidence of the testimony of Christ. We are his living epistles. And we owe it all to the fact he left to send the Holy Spirit to complete the work he began. And the glorious thing is that even now he is molding and making us more and more in his likeness everyday.
But please note that the only way for us to be able to receive the blessedness of salvation was for Jesus to surrender the comfort and dignity of the earthly glory that was his to command, and share his sonship with all of us. This is why John writes in his epistle, Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. (1 John 3:2-3)
Children of God, it’s party time. As we observe the festivities of this sacred season, let’s never, ever fail to rejoice in the fact that Jesus didn’t leave us comfortless. He sent the Comforter instead.
God bless
