If I Go Away, the Helper Will Come

If I Go Away, the Helper Will Come

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent. Each weekday morning, we’re going to spend a few minutes in a passage in John. Here’s the goal: read it, pray it, share it. Every post will have a passage of Scripture, a short prayer, and a question to meditate on and talk about. In a few minutes every day, we can prepare our hearts for all that God has planned in this season of Lent. 

Read: John 16:1-15
“I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. [2] They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. [3] And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. [4] But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.

“I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. [5] But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ [6] But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. [7] 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 go, I will send him to you. [8] And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: [9] concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; [10] concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; [11] concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

[12] “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. [13] When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. [14] He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. [15] All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. (ESV)

Jesus told the disciples it would be better for him to go away than it would be if he stayed. To the disciples who had been with him for three years, that must have sounded crazy. How could it be better for Jesus to leave?

Notice how much of this last conversation with his disciples Jesus spends talking about the Holy Spirit. Jesus wanted them to know that the Spirit was coming and that he would do the work necessary to change their hearts, build the church, spread the word, and bear fruit in every situation. He speaks on the authority of the father and the son, and he reminds us - even now - of the words of Christ.

So imagine that you had Jesus with you every moment. How much different would your life be? Imagine you had his commentary and wisdom on every situation in your day. Imagine you could talk to him whenever you wanted. Wouldn’t that be amazing? That, Jesus said, is what the Spirit does when he comes. 

Pray:
Lord, thank you for the gift of your Spirit. Guide me in your truth, today. Remind me of your word. Fill my life with your presence. Spread your kingdom to the end of the earth. Show me the role you’ve called me to play. Amen.

Share:
What comes to mind when you think of the role of the Holy Spirit? What does Jesus mean in vs. 8-11 about convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment?

Sometimes it’s hard to walk by the Spirit. Can you think of one instance this week in which the Spirit was leading you?