“These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” John 14:25-26
In the few words of verse one we find a revelation that troubles many Christians, often causing them to stumble at the idea that Jesus (in the flesh) is not present with us. Many who are quick to declare their allegiance to the Father and the Son struggle with the presence of the Holy Spirit; Jesus’ following words in this passage make it clear that (while Jesus had indeed been present), now the Holy Spirit will begin to teach those same things with the power and authority of Jesus Himself. In John 16:5, Jesus tells His disciples that He is “going away to Him Who sent Me” and that it is to their advantage that He go. What has followed the ascension of Jesus and the out pouring of the Holy Spirit some two thousand years ago is this; the Holy Spirit has taken on the responsibilities that Jesus bore. The only differences are that He can’t be seen or touched as could the flesh and blood Jesus, neither is He limited to the human ability of transportation. Jesus was only in one place at a time, the Holy Spirit is omnipresent, or everywhere present so that His influence is worldwide at every moment. This is the advantage that Jesus spoke of concerning His departure and the coming of the Holy Spirit.
There is one other difference that is very important for us to understand. Jesus called all persons to Himself for the forgiveness of sin; the Holy Spirit did not come to create a following for Himself, He came to draw attention to Jesus that sinners might be saved. Imagine how offended He must be when we call unnecessary attention to His presence rather than to the Person of the crucified Jesus Whom He has come to represent and celebrate.
The Holy Spirit is present with us until Jesus returns; welcome Him, embrace Him, listen to Him, and follow His leading, it goes straight to Jesus Christ.
