Advocate

The Advocate comes.

5 But now I am going to the one who sent me, and not one of you asks me,[a] ‘Where are you going?’ 6 But because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts. 7 But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 [b]And when he comes he will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation: 9 sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; 11 condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.-John16:5-11

Yes, it is hard to say goodbye. However, there is more to all relationships than having physical contact. Jesus is saying goodbye to His disciples. Jesus leaves, only to come back again through the Holy Spirit. What is better - to be with Jesus in flesh, or to be with Him in spirit? If Jesus is here in the flesh, He would be subject to the limits of the flesh which is contrary to His true nature. How can He be with all of us - billions of people? In Spirit, Jesus becomes one with us 24/7. He is with me, as He is with you. Actually, since we are a spirited body or a bodied spirit, we can sense Him as clear as though He is in flesh as if He is before us. The question is, are we open to the Spirit?

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Spirit of Truth

"I have told you this so that you may not fall away."

26 “When the Advocate comes whom I will send[a] you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. 27 And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.
1 “I have told you this so that you may not fall away. 2 They will expel you from the synagogues; in fact, the hour[b] is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God. 3 They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me. 4 I have told you this so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you.
[c] “I did not tell you this from the beginning, because I was with you.-John15:26-16:4

Sometimes we experience an encounter with God at a certain point in our life that left a very deep impact or a massive turning point or change in us. It can be a loss, bankruptcy, imprisonment, or even death. These experiences bring us closer to God. Jesus is saying to us, "I have told you this so that you may not fall away." If we have Jesus in us, we need not fear. Though very tough times may come our way, Jesus is encouraging us to be steadfast in holding on to the Holy Spirit that says, "Be not afraid. I am with you." Through our own experiences of the presence of God in our life, we can contribute and help in spreading the Good News that Jesus is the true Savior and Messiah, and that He is truly with us alive and guiding us every step of the way.

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