Have you experienced having a key mentor leave you? What a beloved teacher? Or maybe a well thought of pastor? How did you take the news? Were you upset? Distraught? Feeling hopeless? Sad? Have you applied those thoughts and feelings to the apostles when Jesus was leaving them?
When a key mentor of ours must leave, especially if they are passing from this world, can have a significant impact on us. We may experience wide range of emotions. The same is true for a special teacher or pastor. The impact they had our lives causes us to reflect as their time with us comes to a close.
The apostles were no different. As the time was nearing for Jesus to go to the cross, He explained to the apostles that He must leave them. Their hearts were saddened. They did not want Him to go. Their feelings are understandable. They had been with Him for about three years and seen amazing things happen, learned a lot about the kingdom of God, and had a desire to continue with both.
Jesus tells them they will not be left alone. Once He has left them and returned to heaven, He is sending the Advocate, the Comforter, the Holy Spirit to be with them. In fact, Jesus says that unless He goes, the Holy Spirit will not come to them. Yet, it is by the gift of the Holy Spirit that they will grow in understanding of God’s kingdom and how he is going to spread his kingdom to others around the world.
We are given the Holy Spirit, too. We may wonder what the difference is between the apostles and ourselves. I believe the biggest difference is we are not nearly as open to listen to the Holy Spirit as the apostles were. They had been with Jesus and trusted Him implicitly. We learn about Him through Scripture. Our willingness to put our entire heart into our belief without seeing Him in person can be a challenge. Yet, we can. It is our decision.
I pray we all decide to fully trust Jesus’ promises. I pray we seek to listen to the Holy Spirit. I pray each one of us accept the Holy Spirit and follow his guidance in our lives. Trust Jesus’ promises. Accept the Holy Spirit. Listen for the Holy Spirit. Follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
Marty Pressey 