Have you ever heard or used the expression, “If you thought that was good you should try ________.”  It usually occurs after you have experienced something that you thought was great and another person is saying that something else is even better.  The phrase is often met with skepticism.  I remember going to an amazing steak restaurant in Chattanooga called St. Elmo.  I was raving about it and this phrase was uttered to me.  I tried the “better” place and wasn’t impressed.  I’m certain that the disciples felt this way when Jesus used a similar phrase with them.  He said it will be better for them when He leaves so the Advocate can come.  I can imagine Peter saying, “No chance Jesus.”  Let’s look together at the passage found in John 16. 

But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. 12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”

This is the third straight chapter where Jesus references the coming of the Holy Spirit.  He wants the disciples to know that He is not leaving them alone but He is leaving them with power, strength, and an Advocate.  The reality is that they are better off.  There were times when Jesus was away from His disciples.  They became afraid, did the wrong things, doubted, and in general struggled.  The Holy Spirit on the other hand never leaves us.  The disciples would have the spirit with them always!  This is an incredible blessing that I think we sometimes take for granted.  When we allow the Spirit to guide us we have God’s direction leading us in our life.  Jesus did indeed have something even better for us. 

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave