Have you ever been told by someone that something you least desire in a moment will be to your advantage?

Usually, when we hear such a thing, we deem it something we do not wish to pay much attention to.

But what if it involves something of great importance?

John 16:5   “But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

The men following Jesus did not wish to think of Him ever departing from them.  Jesus would remain with them in the flesh if they could have had their way.  But Jesus knew that something they would need could not come to them until He left.

Jesus even describes what will happen when the Holy Spirit comes.

He will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.  What will this look like?

Conviction of sin - Because they do not believe in Jesus

Righteousness - Because Jesus ascended to His Father and is no longer here on earth.

Judgment - Because the Ruler of this world is judged.

The Holy Spirit did not come to convict believers of sin because if they believe they are no longer in sin but are instead made righteous with the very righteousness of God.  Jesus nailed to His cross everything that was against us.  He paid for our sins, past, present, and future.

But what is this help that will be to our advantage that Jesus referred to?

Luke 24:46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things.     49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”

Jesus was speaking about the promise of the FATHER!  That promise made by the Father involves power that comes from on high!  It is supernatural empowerment.

This is a power with no earthly origins.  There is nothing natural about it.  It does not originate with human beings. It originates with God, and it comes from the same source that brought into existence everything that was created.  it is no ordinary power!  It comes packaged in a person too!  The person of the Holy Spirit.

Whenever we see the Holy Spirit involved in something and at work, there are things that exceed the ability of human effort transpiring.  It is to our advantage because the will of GOD is greater than our human ability to accomplish.  The Holy Spirit is needed!  Jesus said so Himself!  If Jesus says it is needful, I believe with all my heart that He knows what He is talking about.  Jesus laid down His life for our advantage of being filled with the Holy Spirit.  Have you taken advantage of your advantage?