John 16:7 - Homilies By B. Thomas

The expediency of Christ ' s departure .

We shall elucidate the truths of the text by the following remarks.

I. THAT THE MISSION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS ESSENTIAL TO THE GREAT PLAN OF REDEMPTION . "The Comforter will not come," implying that his coming was essential to the carrying on of the good work in them and through them.

1. As the Divine Revealer . Christ revealed the Father; the Spirit was to reveal Christ. This revelation involves:

2. As the Divine Regenerator . The Creator of the new life, the new heart, the new man, and the new world, and the Builder of the spiritual temple. This new creation is an essential part of the plan of redemption, and is the department of the Holy Spirit.

3. As the Divine Sanctifier . Carrying on the good work gradually unto perfection.

4. As the Divine Comforter . As such he is introduced by our Lord. This was their special need, as well as the special need of all believers in all ages.

II. THAT THE DEPARTURE OF JESUS WAS ESSENTIAL TO THE COMING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT . "If I go not away," etc.

1. His departure was essential to the completion of his own work and the fulfillment of his mission . He could say with propriety, "If I go not away, I cannot finish the work given me to do." This involved:

by death these were attainable. He was made perfect through sufferings.

2. The completion of his work was essential to the coming of the Holy Spirit . "If I go not away, the Comforter," etc .

3. The completion of his work would result in the certain coming of the Spirit . "If I go away, I will send," etc. This certainty lies:

III. THAT THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WOULD BE MORE BENEFICIAL TO THE DISCIPLES AND ALL BELIEVERS THAN THE PERSONAL MINISTRY OF JESUS . "It is expedient," etc.

1. The personal ministry of Jesus was local ; that of the Spirit is universal . Christ could not be personally present in more than one place at the same time; the Spirit can be everywhere.

2. The personal ministry of Christ was outward ; that of the Spirit is inward . Christ appealed, with words and voice, to man through his physical senses; but the ministry of the Spirit is inward, appealing directly to the human heart, will, and conscience.

3. The personal ministry of Christ had a tendency to keep alive and foster the material and temporal ideas of his reign ; that of the Spirit had a direct tendency to foster and establish spiritual ideas of his kingdom . While he remained with his disciples, they tenaciously clung to the idea of a temporal king and a temporal kingdom, and this idea would last as long as his personal presence; but his departure by death, had a direct tendency to destroy this notion and blast this hope for ever, and prepare them for the advent of the Holy Spirit, who would, on the ruins of the temporal kingdom, establish a spiritual one, a kingdom of God within. So that to the advent of the Spirit, in consequence of the personal departure of Jesus, they were indebted for true notions of the nature of his kingdom.

4. The personal ministry of Jesus was essentially temporary ; that of the Spirit is permanent . He came only for a time, and under human conditions was subject to persecutions and death, and would ever be so, therefore his ministry could only be temporary; but the Spirit came to remain with and in his people for ever, and was personally above any physical injury from the wicked world. Christ, like the Baptist, was only a temporary herald in the world. As soon as his mission was fulfilled, he disappeared; but the Spirit is a settled Minister, and his charge he will never relinquish.

5. Christ , by the Holy Spirit , was more really and efficiently present with his disciples than he would be by his continual personal presence . So that he went away in order to come nearer to them, and come in a higher and diviner form; not in weakness, but in power; not in shame, but in glory; not in the shadow of death, but in the halo of a" Divine and glorified life;" not in the flesh, but in the Spirit; not outside, but within them; so that his departure resulted to them in more of Christ and the ministry of the Spirit as well.

6. By the Spirit , not only he could be more to them , but they also could be more to him and to his purposes of grace . More to themselves in the progress and development of their spiritual nature and character. More to the human family in their conversion and progress in holiness. With Christ's ministry of reconciliation , his perfect example , the inspiration of his devoted life, and self-sacrificing and atoning death, with the indwelling and accompanying influences of the Spirit, they could do infinitely more for Christ than if he were alone to remain personally with them. This was demonstratively proved after Pentecost. They were better missionaries, better heralds of the gospel of peace, and more heroic and enduring soldiers of the cross. In fact, in this way alone Christ could fulfill his purposes in them, and through them in the world.

LESSONS.

1. All the teaching of Jesus to his disciples was absolutely true . "I tell you the truth." He never told a falsehood; he was incapable of this. He knew the truth, so that he could not mistake. He was true—the Truth, so that he would not deceive. It would be as easy for darkness to proceed from light as for falsehood to proceed from him who is the Truth.

2. He told them the truth , although he knew it to be at the time most unpalatable . "Nevertheless," etc . This truth concerning iris departure was so. Nothing could be more distasteful to their feelings and sentiments. Still he told them. He was most tenderly careful of their feelings. Still these were not the chief regulators of his revelations.

3. Some truths which at the time are most unpalatable prove at the end most beneficial and joyous when fully understood and realized . The departure of Jesus was such. It filled, at the moment, their heart with sorrow, but filled it afterwards with spiritual joy.

4. Christ , in all his sayings , deeds , and movements , was ever actuated by the supreme good of his disciples . "It is expedient for you," etc. Not what was best or most convenient for him, but what would best serve their spiritual interest and that of the world.—B.T.