I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you.
—John 16:7
As the Lord left this world, He promised the disciples that His departure would be their gain. The Comforter would take His place and be to them far better than Jesus ever had been in His bodily presence. The Lord’s conversation with them had never been broken, but could be interrupted. Now it would even be broken off by death, and they would see Him no more. However, the Spirit would abide with them forever. The Spirit would be in them. His coming would be as an indwelling presence in which they would have Jesus in them as their life and their strength.
During the life of our Lord on earth, He dealt with each of His disciples according to their individual characters and the special circumstances in which they were placed. The conversation was an intensely personal one—in everything He proved that He knew His sheep by name. For each person there was a thoughtful word of wisdom that met each need. Would the Spirit supply this need, too, and provide that tender personal interest and attention that made the guidance of Jesus so precious?
All that Christ had been to His disciples, the Spirit was to restore in greater power in a relationship that would not be interrupted. They were to be happier, safer, and stronger with Jesus in heaven than they ever could have been with Him on earth. Jesus had been wise and patient to give each disciple what he needed, to make each one feel that Jesus was his best friend. The indwelling of the Spirit was given to restore Christ’s very personal friendship and guidance with His disciples and all believers.
The will and wisdom of man hinders the Holy Spirit. We are still surrounded by a life of self, of the flesh. In the service of God, self is always putting itself forward and exerting its own strength. Every thought, however good, must be brought into captivity.
Our own wisdom must be laid captive at the feet of Jesus. As we bring our fleshly activity into subjection and wait on Him, He will not put us to shame, but do His work within us. The Spirit will strengthen our inner life and quicken our faith. We will learn that the presence and personal guidance of Jesus is ours just as sweetly and mightily as if He were with us on earth.