John 16:7 (NASB) "But 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.

In Dutch Sheets’ book entitled “The Pleasure of His Company,” he shares several wonderful insights into Jesus’ statement that “it is to your advantage that I go away.”  

·         First, Jesus was saying to His disciples that His departure would create a new connection to the Father that was even more advantageous than if Jesus were still with them physically.  

·         Secondly, Jesus was saying that this new connection (the Holy Spirit) would be in spirit form, so that He could be everywhere at once, and actually be “in” them and not merely “with” them.

The late Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ (now called Cru), has a wonderful description of the Holy Spirit:

·         He guides us (John 1:13), empowers us (Micah 3:8), and makes us holy (Romans 15:16). He bears witness in our lives (Romans 8:16), comforts us (John 14:16–26), gives us joy (Romans 14:17). . . .

·         As our teacher of spiritual truths, the Holy Spirit illuminates our minds with insight into the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:12–13) and reveals to us the hidden things of God (Isaiah 40:13–14). . . .

·         As you are filled with the Holy Spirit, the Bible becomes alive, prayer becomes vital, your witness becomes effective, and obedience becomes a joy. Then, as a result of your obedience in these areas, your faith grows and you become more mature in your spiritual life.

Sheets then points out that the Holy Spirit “was Christ’s help and He must be ours as well.  As a human, Jesus was filled with, led by, empowered by, and anointed by the Holy Spirit.”

Luke 4:1-2a NIV  Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,  (2)  where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. 

Luke 4:14 NIV  Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.

Paul gives us some further insights into the role and blessing of the Holy Spirit:

2 Corinthians 13:14 (NASB) The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship [koinonia] of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

Sheets then points out that “the following English words are all translations of this Greek word koinonia:

·         Fellowship—the Holy Spirit wants to visit with us.

·         Communion—the Holy Spirit wants to commune with us.

·         Sharing together—the Holy Spirit wants to share His insights and power with us.

·         Participation in or with—the Holy Spirit wants to participate in our efforts and activities.

·         Distribution—the Holy Spirit wants to distribute revelation, gifts, anointings, and blessings to us.

·         Impart—the Holy Spirit wants to impart God’s nature and benefits to us.

·         Partaking—the Holy Spirit wants us to partake of His anointing and life.

·         Partnership—the Holy Spirit wants to partner with us.”

Wow!  What a rich statement!  What a great explanation of the advantage we obtained by Jesus going to heaven and sending the Holy Spirit to us!

And that is my prayer today:  May we realize every day the great advantage that Jesus provided us by going away -- the koinonia of the Holy Spirit that Jesus sent to us!

Today, I encourage you to “Reflect on This.”