John 16:7 “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 depart, I will send Him to you.” From our perspective, these words of Jesus hardly seem like a good thing. Jesus not being here with me, does not seem advantageous for me. It would seem like having Jesus right there with me, at all times, would be way better than any Spirit of truth, or Comforter or Helper. Yet Jesus says that this is to our advantage, that this is very good for us.
The Amplified Bible takes this verse and gives some extra nuances about what the “Helper” is and what “advantage” means. “However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you]”. (John 16:7 AMP)
Perhaps the reason why these words of Jesus, (i.e. of Jesus going away, and Him giving His Comforter in His place), do not encourage us is because we do not draw upon the power, life and strength of the Holy Spirit. We cry out to Jesus saying, “Where are You?”, yet fail to sense the presence and comfort of the Holy Spirit. If Jesus says that this is to our advantage, then He is right, and our perspective must be wrong.
Lord Jesus, help us to value that which the Holy Spirit provides for us. Help us to constantly walk in the advantage of having Your Spirit with us.
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