John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come to you… I. THE RELATION BETWEEN CHRIST'S BODILY PRESENCE AND THE SPIRIT'S INFLUENCE WITH THE CHURCH. 1. Before Christ came the Spirit was little known. In all ages it is true that while Christ is the only foundation, the Spirit is the only architect of religion. But if before the Incarnation Christ was dimly seen, can we wonder that the Spirit was not clearly known? Yet as many received salvation by a Messiah whom they scarcely descried in the distance, they received Him by the grace of that Spirit whose operations they felt rather than understood. 2. While Christ was on the earth the Spirit was better known, but known as resting on the Head rather than descending on the body of the Church. Nothing, in all the preceding ages, could be compared with this for clearness. How natural, after the manifestation of the Spirit at Christ's baptism, was it for Christ to begin His ministry by selecting this text — "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me," &c. The very name, Messiah — Christ — is derived from the sacred unction which Christ here claims to Himself. What a display of the Spirit's influence was given in the person and ministry of Christ! Still, this was in the Head rather than in the body of the Church, "for the Spirit was not yet received, because Jesus was not yet glorified," For what do we see of the work of the Spirit on man in general during the ministry of Christ on earth? It is true that we read of above five hundred brethren. But what are a few hundreds, or even thousands, as the fruit of such a ministry as that of Jesus Christ? But, alas t we read of no grand effusions of the Spirit accompanying the preaching of our Saviour. Though Christ spake as never man spake, His audience never cried — "What shall we do to be saved?" And when the unbelieving multitude vociferated, "Away with Him, crucify Him!" there was no counter-cry from an opposing mass who had received life at His lips. No; it was necessary first to show what the Spirit does in the Person of Him from whom the grace descends to us; that the anointing should flow from the Head to the members. 3. But when Christ departed to heaven, then the Spirit descended on the whole Church. For there were sufficient reasons why the Spirit of grace should not descend before. (1) It was not fit that the choicest blessing which heaven can shed on men should be granted while the guilt of their sins remained unatoned for. But now "He hath redeemed us from the curse of the law,... that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."(2) It was fit that Christ should go away to heaven, and from thence should bestow this best of blessings. As our kings date their highest royal acts, and issue their proclamations of grace, from "our royal palace at St. James's," it behoved the King of grace to "ascend up on high," in order to give from His heavenly throne "gifts to the rebellious."(3) While Christ was as our king, it should be remembered that He was to be a "priest on His throne," and from His throne Christ, our priest and king, has shed forth that influence which has shown the fulfilment of this promise. II. THE PREFERENCE DUE TO THE SPIRIT'S INFLUENCE 1. The value of Christ's bodily presence is implied when it is said to be expedient for us that He should go away. While He was on earth He was its treasure and its joy. Christ Himself said, "Blessed are your eyes that they see," &c. The hope of seeing Christ after death makes even that bitter thing sweet. Can we wonder, then, that the disciples who saw Him on earth were reluctant to part with this grateful sight? Nor do we wonder that the hope of His speedy re-appearance should prove a fascinating lure to many who are as much mistaken as the disciples were. 2. The superior value of the Spirit's presence. (1) The bodily presence of Christ was confined to one spot — the presence of the Spirit is universal. (2) The bodily presence of Christ belongs to the order of means that strike the senses, but the presence of the Spirit is that of an agent who affects the heart and attains the end. If Christ were to appear on earth, He must either come in His glory or lay it aside. Were He to come in His glory could we endure it? Paul "could not see for the glory of that Light," and John fell at His feet as dead. Must He, then, lay aside His glory and become again of no reputation? What! has He not had enough of this? But on any supposition Christ's bodily presence might act on our bodies, whereas His Spirit operates upon our spirits. Many, therefore, saw Christ while on earth, only to their more aggravated condemnation. Even those who repented because they saw Christ were told not to glory but to blush. Had Christ continued on earth our imperfect religion would regard Him with a mixture of debasing carnal emotions from which we are, by His absence, kept free, saying, "Henceforth know we no man after the flesh," &c. Now we are no longer in danger of intruding upon Him with unseemly familiarity, nor are we exposed to the repulse, "Touch me not;" but by the Spirit's pure and heavenly influences we are elevated towards the Saviour's throne by a flight altogether spiritual and Divine. (3) It is more honourable, both to Christ and to His Spirit, that the Son should depart and send His Spirit down. If this can be shown, it will follow that it is expedient for us. (a) The Head cannot be glorified without shedding lustre on the members; nor can the members see the Head exalted, without feeling a sense of exaltation and delight. While Christ dwelt here He was the Father's servant. So much humiliation and infirmity entered into His sojourn here, that He might well chide His friends for wishing to detain Him in it, saying, "If ye loved Me ye would rejoice," &c. But now He has prayed, and has been heard, "Father, glorify Thou Me with Thine own self," &c. When He quitted earth for heaven, He exchanged the condition of a servant for that of a king. From the seat of glory He sent down His Spirit as His advocate, as well to glorify Christ as to call and sanctify us. The "Paraclete" should be regarded as conveying the idea of a patron and counsellor, to vindicate Christ's rights, and display His glory, and animate the spirits of men to rise to lofty and delightful ideas of the Saviour. (b) This is more honourable to the Spirit too. Would not the splendour of the glorified Redeemer take off men's attention from the operations of the Spirit of grace? But should the Spirit be robbed of his honours? Is it not, then, fit that He should work by means less splendid and fascinating — by the ordinary preaching of the Word — by those who have the treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be seen to be of God, and not of man? III. THE NECESSITY OF ENFORCING THE PREFERENCE DUE TO THE DIVINE SPIRIT. 1. We are exceedingly prone to dote on that which strikes the senses in preference to that which affects the heart. Has not the fatal apostasy of Rome originated in this infirmity of our nature? Perhaps there is scarcely one unconverted person here that does not fancy he would behove if he saw Christ in the flesh. Even the infidel says, "If I saw Jesus Christ as you represent Him, I would hail Him as my Saviour." But did that sight convert the Jews? 2. We as much undervalue the Spirit's influence. You have something better than that which you so fondly fancy would vanquish all your love of sin, and triumph over your unbelief. There are more mighty resources provided for us than if the Son of God were to come down. For the Holy Ghost is now sent to be an advocate to plead His cause with the world, and convince it of Christ's righteousness, and grace, and dominion, and saving power. Conclusion: 1. Beware, lest having lost Christ's presence, you live without the Spirit's influence. 2. Aspire to join the spirits of just men made perfect, who, enjoying both these blessings, are at the summit of bliss. (J. Bennett, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. |
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