09-18-24-DAILY READING-ENG.

EXPERIENCING THE SPIRIT

                       BETTER THAN JESUS AT OUR SIDE 

One of the most overlooked verses in the Bible is John 16:7. There Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.” What an amazing statement! Jesus told His disciples they would be better off if He left and the Spirit came. Better to have the Holy Spirit within you than Jesus beside you. But that's hard to believe. What could possibly be better than having Jesus Christ physically present? Peter was one who couldn't comprehend what Jesus was saying that night in the upper room. Peter always fought hard to keep Jesus close, even rebuking his Lord when He talked of going to the cross. On the Mount of Transfiguration, it was Peter who wanted to build a permanent structure and stay there. The night before Jesus’ crucifixion, it was Peter who boldly proclaimed his allegiance by claiming his willingness to go both to prison and to death with Him. Later, when soldiers went to Gethsemane to arrest Jesus, it was Peter who drew his sword and cut off the ear of a soldier trying to take Him away.      

Peter was committed to remaining with Jesus at all costs. It wasn't long, however, before Peter understood what Jesus meant that night. Pentecost came, and the promise of the coming Spirit was fulfilled. Peter and the other disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit, never again to be the same. Peter, who had been self-pleasing, self-trusting, and self-seeking, had now died to self Peter—full of sin, continually getting into trouble, foolish and impetuous—had now been filled with the Spirit. And the mighty power of God flowed in and through his life. The difference in Peter and the other disciples was that they now had a new and deeper relationship with the Lord than they'd ever known. When Jesus sent the Holy Spirit into their lives, it meant He would never leave them or forsake them. Through the Holy Spirit, He would now guide their lives from within.