“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” (John 16:7).
The word that Jesus used to describe the Holy Spirit is full of meaning. In Greek culture it was used of a defense attorney who protected an accused person from a guilty verdict. It was also used of a friend who offered encouragement. The picture is of someone putting his arm around you and whispering the words that sustain you when pressure comes.
The Holy Spirit provides both of those blessings to us. Had we lived in Jesus’ day we would have found His presence limited to a geographical location in the Middle East. Because of the Holy Spirit we find God’s encouragement and protection wherever we live.
Jesus didn’t die, rise again and then abandon us. He left us with the never failing presence of the Holy Spirit. No matter where we live, when we open our hearts to Jesus we immediately have the presence of God Himself in the person of the Holy Spirit.
Gordon Fee wrote a book about the Holy Spirit as He is explained in Paul’s letters. The title of his book is a revelation in itself. He called his book, “God’s Empowering Presence.” When Jesus went back to heaven He sent the Holy Spirit, God’s empowering presence, to be with us. What an amazing gift God has given us!
