Jesus said to His perplexed and frighten disciples, "It is expedient for you that I go away."
Weymouth translates this verse by ascertaining that "It is to your advantage." Moffatt's renders our Lord's statement like this: "My going is for your good."
The fact is that Jesus did go away. He ascended from their presence into Heaven.
What did Jesus mean? He assured them that His absence from their midst would not leave them to fend for themselves. He wanted them to know that His presence would be constant and on a much higher level.
Our blessed Lord had told them clearly that He would not leave them comfortless . . . literally orphaned.
As Jesus deals with their fears of loneliness, He assures them of an instant communication they would continue to have with Him in the presence of the Holy Spirit. They would be able to enjoy a daily, moment by moment, presence of Jesus that would be an astonishing intimate and inward awareness they would cherish.
Jesus said, "He, the Holy Spirit, shall be in you." "He shall glorify Me." And "He shall guide you into all truth."
Let us prepare now to celebrate Pentecost Sunday in our churches. May we be open to what the Holy Spirit desires to do in our lives and in the congregations where we worship God. When the Holy Spirit is present no one has to tell us. We will know it. Let us give the Holy Spirit freedom to move supernaturally in our churches not only on Pentecost Sunday, but every time we meet to worship God.
Weymouth translates this verse by ascertaining that "It is to your advantage." Moffatt's renders our Lord's statement like this: "My going is for your good."
The fact is that Jesus did go away. He ascended from their presence into Heaven.
What did Jesus mean? He assured them that His absence from their midst would not leave them to fend for themselves. He wanted them to know that His presence would be constant and on a much higher level.
Our blessed Lord had told them clearly that He would not leave them comfortless . . . literally orphaned.
As Jesus deals with their fears of loneliness, He assures them of an instant communication they would continue to have with Him in the presence of the Holy Spirit. They would be able to enjoy a daily, moment by moment, presence of Jesus that would be an astonishing intimate and inward awareness they would cherish.
Jesus said, "He, the Holy Spirit, shall be in you." "He shall glorify Me." And "He shall guide you into all truth."
Let us prepare now to celebrate Pentecost Sunday in our churches. May we be open to what the Holy Spirit desires to do in our lives and in the congregations where we worship God. When the Holy Spirit is present no one has to tell us. We will know it. Let us give the Holy Spirit freedom to move supernaturally in our churches not only on Pentecost Sunday, but every time we meet to worship God.