Ever-present – everywhere present
by Pastor Jim Strelan
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But I tell you the truth: it is good that I am going away. Unless I go away the Counsellor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you (John 16:7).
Read John 16:1–15
There are times when we especially need to sense the presence of Jesus with us. When things look dark and seem to be going against us, and we feel like God is distant, we long to sense his presence with us in a tangible way. If only Jesus was here – actually here – like he was back then when his disciples could see, touch, hear and time with him, what a difference that would make!
The thing is that ‘back then’, Jesus was physically confined to one place. He couldn’t be present everywhere at the same time. He was located, which would be the case as long as he was on this earth in that physical form. But to go away – any going away is sad for those left behind – and to promise an ongoing, everywhere presence means not sadness but joy. The Counsellor, the Helper, sometimes called the Advocate, will be ever-present everywhere. The Spirit of Jesus will be with you wherever you are, whatever happens in your life. You will never be abandoned; Jesus is with you by his Spirit.
When Jesus left this earth, those first disciples would have felt sad and maybe confused for a while. But it wasn’t long before they sensed the Spirit active among them, which emboldened them. At Pentecost, the presence of Jesus spread like wildfire to ‘every nation under heaven’ (Acts 2:5). And over the centuries since, until this Spirit comes, also to you.
Do you hear the comfort in Jesus’ words? Do you feel reassured? That’s Jesus’ intention. When he says, ‘But I tell you the truth’ (verse 7), he emphasises what he is about to say. You can underline this, highlight it, put it in bold type, and be sure of it: ‘The Helper will come, so while I leave you physically, it’s actually better I do’. It adds meaning to Jesus’ last recorded words, ‘I am with you always’ (Matthew 28:20).
Jesus, we know you are with us because the Counsellor is here. Help us trust your promise. Amen.
Pastor Jim is a retired pastor living on Brisbane Northside. He served in Papua New Guinea and as school pastor in several schools and congregations with schools. Jim is married to Ruth, and they have three children and seven grandchildren, who Jim loves unconditionally. He loves to share the gospel as simply and clearly as he can.
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