God is With Me

I must admit, if I am to be completely transparent, that I have been jealous of the apostles at times over the years. It's not easy to admit my sin (because jealousy is a sin), but this has been a part of my journey to this point. I would think about the fact that they got to see Jesus face to face. They got to hear him preach and teach. They participated in his miracles, picking up the twelve baskets of leftovers when the thousands were done eating. They were even empowered by him to go out, cast out demons, and heal the sick. It really seems like they had the best deal of all time.

"If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever-- the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. (John 14:15-18 NIV)

I'll tell you what I never envied, though. I was never jealous of the transition they had to make during their lifetime. They watched Jesus die and were distraught. They spoke with him, listened to him teach, and had meals with him after he was alive again. But after all that, they stood and watched as he ascended up into the sky and then disappeared from their sight. They had to let go of their mentor, their teacher, and their friend.

But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. (John 16:7 NIV)

Jesus had trained his disciples for a mission. They had a job to do. But now they were going to have to do it alone. Jesus would not be there to mentor, coach, or otherwise help them along the way. This is why it was such a big deal that Jesus promised to send his Spirit to them. They had a long, hard road ahead of them. They would have some real spiritual battles to face. They would spend the rest of their lives fighting the good fight. They needed to know that they were not alone.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8 NIV)

Before Jesus ascended, he promised them, once again, that help. The Holy Spirit would be their advocate. The Holy Spirit would be their counselor. The Holy Spirit would lead them into all truth. The Holy Spirit would give them gifts beyond their current capabilities. The Holy Spirit would back them up with the very power of God. Now, they were ready to fulfill their part of God's Mission for us all.

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20 NIV)

How about you? Is God with you? Does the Holy Spirit of God dwell within you? Are you fulfilling your part of God's Mission for us?