This is perhaps one of the most interesting and also encouraging statements Jesus makes. I want to start out with the encouraging part. How amazing! Jesus is with us. One of His names: Immanuel--God with us. God is not One who is far off, but a God who is near. (Jer. 23:23) I believe at least part of His purpose in sending His Son was to demonstrate this truth. God promised His people all through history that He would never leave us or forsake us. We can rely on Him to remain faithful to that promise. As Jesus prepared to end His physical presence on earth, He told His followers that it was important for Him to go so the Spirit could come. We have His presence with us today, filling us and bearing fruit in our lives, bearing "witness with our spirit that we are children of God." Rom. 8:16 I am grateful for God's presence with me.
The interesting part of this statement is the qualifier that accompanies it. Each time Jesus makes this statement He includes, "for a little while." Why does He throw that in? Perhaps it was to help us understand our responsibility as followers. In John 12:35, He says it a little differently; "For a little while longer the light is among you. Walk while you have the light, that darkness may not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. While you have the light, believe in the light, in order that you may become sons of light." In an earlier blog, I talked about light and how Jesus was the light of the world, but transferred that role over to us. God enters into our lives. He is present with us. If we are going to be true imitators of Him, will we not enter into the lives of others? In John 14:19, Jesus says this: "After a little while the world will behold Me no more; but you will behold Me; because I live, you shall live also." We have the amazing privilege of beholding God. We have been transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of Light. Our once blinded eyes can now see. Therefore we have an opportunity to enter into the lives of those still blinded by darkness and reveal God to them.
What will I do today to demonstrate that the Spirit of the Living God is with me?
