Why didn’t Jesus stay?

Honestly, I envy the twelve disciples.

They had Jesus right there with them—encouraging them when they needed it, smacking them around a bit when they got off course and leading them in everything. I’ve often pondered “How would my life look different if Jesus was physically present with me here on earth?”

Imagine if I needed a little reminder of who I am or a bit of a pep talk. I could just call Him up or meet up with Him and He’d get me sorted. If I had a question, I could just ask Him. He could give me the answer. And when my friends didn’t believe or had doubts, I could simply introduce them to Him. Sounds like a better plan to me.

This is why John 16 has always irked me—how could it be possible that it’s better for Jesus to leave? Doesn’t it make more sense for Him to stay?

After studying the life of Jesus and contemplating my preferred scenario, I started to realize it’s got some problems.

Not what I had assumed.

First, when I observe Jesus in the Gospels, he wasn’t all that straightforward when answering people’s questions. The Pharisees were always trying to get yes or no answers out of Jesus and instead He’d tell them stories which answered deeper questions.

Imagine if you asked Jesus, “Who should I marry?” and He answered with a story about a farmer during the harvest. Or worse yet, if you asked Him “How should I follow you?”, and said what He said to the rich young ruler: “Give up your most precious things and follow me.” Perhaps having Jesus present wouldn’t be as easy as I assume.

Sometimes I reflect upon my dissatisfaction with the Christian life and realize that the Holy Spirit responds in the same way that Jesus did. He leads and guides me, but not always in the immediate way I want. John 16 explains that The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin and guides us into all truth. Often what I want to hear is a specific next step I’m supposed to take. I want to know exactly where, when and how, but I’m told to simply “go”.

I need more of Jesus, not less.

Second, my preferred scenario assumes that I only need leadership and guidance from Jesus at certain points in my life.

For example, when I was a teenager I would look to Jesus to get me out of trouble (“Help! I messed up. Again!”). When I was in university I wanted specific answers to some of  life’s big decisions . (“What field should I study?”, “Should I marry this girl?”). Today, it’s often a choice between several good options (“Is this a moment to stand for truth or grace?”, “Where should I focus my time?”).

But the truth is, I need someone more invasive and persistent than infrequent visits with Jesus. I don’t need less time relating to Jesus, I need more. I’ve come to realize that there’s not a moment when I don’t need God’s salvation, power, leadership and guidance. This helps me to see why it is better that Jesus left and gave me the Holy Spirit.

But how do I experience this other Helper in my life?

Confess

For me, the first things to remember are the truths that Jesus (the first Helper) shows us: I’m not okay on my own, I need a Saviour and God.

Prayer of Confession: God, I need you. I am weak, and You are the One who saves me. I confess I try to save myself, and walk in my own power…

“For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”

Romans 8:2

Surrender

Knowing his power to conquer sin helps me hand over the control of my life to the Holy Spirit. He reminds me that I am too weak to fight sin in my own power and need to rely wholly on him to conquer sin. He also reminds me that he cares deeply about me. I need continual reminders of the gospel in my life. These reminders stop me from living in my own power and give space for the Holy Spirit to work.

Prayer of Surrender: To You, I surrender my efforts and plans. I need you in every moment. Thank you that through Jesus Christ I am saved, forgiven and righteous.

“…the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”

Romans 8:4

Walk in the Spirit

Next, I need to listen to Him and act in faith to do what He’s calling me to. The Holy Spirit gains access to my life through being in transparent community with other believers. Keeping immersed in God’s Word also allows the Holy Spirit access that God wants into all areas of my life.

Prayer to walk in the Spirit: Fill me with Your power, Holy Spirit. Thank you that I belong to You.

“You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.”

Romans 8:9-11

These steps have helped me listen to and experience the Holy Spirit’s guidance in my life. When I live a life of confession, surrender and walking in faith, moment-by-moment, I learn to hear God’s guidance in my life. If I listen to the small prodding of the Holy Spirit and walk in faith, God will guide me in the big questions of life.

What weakness can you confess to God?

In what areas do you need to trust God’s power?

How does God have full access to your life?