John 16:7 It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter (Helper) will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
Jesus was the ultimate “Helper” for mankind. He came to help people in every way possible. During His Life and Ministry on Earth, He performed countless Miracles which helped everyone He touched. However, as a man, He could only help those He came in contact with or knew about.
His Sacrifice on the Cross of Calvary to pay our sin debt to God was of course the greatest help He could ever provide. In order for His Work to be complete, He had to be buried, risen, and resurrected, which He was. Then He re-appeared on Earth for some 40 days and over 500 people saw Him, spoke to Him, and interacted with Him AFTER His Resurrection.
There was one more thing that had to happen to cause His Work to be Finished. That was for Him to Ascend to Heaven. This also happened. So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into Heaven, and sat down at the Right Hand of God. (Mark 16:19) Luke recorded it like this: Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. From Luke’s account, it is apparent that the people to whom Jesus spoke that day all saw Him Ascend into Heaven. They were eyewitnesses to this event! Oh my, to be there that day! What a sight that must have been!
At this point, Jesus’ Work as a man was complete. He had finished all that the Father had sent Him to do. When we speak of the “Finished Work” of Jesus, we are referring to His entire life span on Earth from His Virgin Conception and Birth to His Ascension to Heaven and everything in between. It all happened in a 33 1/2 year period of time.
Only after His Work was Finished could He send the Comforter (Helper) the Holy Spirit who would now not just occasionally visit believers, but actually abide within them continuously and forever. That’s what we, as believers in the Finished Work of Christ have!
The Holy Spirit is God’s replacement of Jesus in our lives. Having Him living in us is just like living with Jesus here on Earth. Just as the people walked and talked with Jesus and watch Him perform great and mighty Miracles, we can do the very same thing! We often envy the Disciples and people who were alive on Earth at the same time Jesus was, but in actuality, we have the advantage! Jesus said so! It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter (Helper) will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
Most Christians today do not have a clue about what is available to them because the Holy Spirit of God is dwelling within them. This is why we are doing this study on the Book of Acts. I pray your eyes are opened to all that you have through your faith in the Finished Work of Christ.
Seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He can……….turn the tide
Guide me, Holy Spirit, Doreen
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