27 May 2014 - define 'better'

27 May 2014 - define 'better'

But because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts.
But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go.

The disciples have a hard time believing this.  They can't imagine what could possible be better than Jesus being with them like he is here.  He teaches, he heals, he does mighty deeds, and he leads them.  If Jesus is no longer visible will they go back to wandering like lost sheep?  Jesus says that it is better that he goes, but it is hard to believe until Pentecost.  At least when they can see Jesus the disciples are able to know that their physical bodies in the place where they ought to be.  That is straightforward enough.  But their hearts have never quite been all there, even when there bodies are.  Ultimately even the bodies betray him, turn away from him, and hide from the Cross.  Hence they need Pentecost.

For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you.
But if I go, I will send him to you.
And when he comes he will convict the world
in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation:

When the Holy Spirit comes he convicts the world of the truth of what Jesus says and who he is.  He enables us to believe in Jesus in a new and more profound way.  We no longer see him with our eyes but we now see his righteousness vindicated in a way that we can stake our whole lives on.  With the Holy Spirit inside of us and guiding us we can commit in ways that utterly transcend what we can do when we are still following what we see and hear, dependent, ultimately on material causes.  We can now base all of our hope in him.

Exalted at the right hand of God, he received the promise of the holy Spirit from the Father and poured it forth, as you see and hear (cf. Act. 2:33).

This is the strength of Paul and Silas that enables them to praise God in the innermost cell of the prison. This is the strength that enables them to stay in that prison and complete the mission even when early escape is possible.  It is this strength in the face of suffering which the flesh cannot give.  It is this strength in suffering which comes from the convicting power of the Holy Spirit.

About midnight, while Paul and Silas were praying
and singing hymns to God as the prisoners listened,
there was suddenly such a severe earthquake
that the foundations of the jail shook;
all the doors flew open, and the chains of all were pulled loose.
When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open,
he drew his sword and was about to kill himself,
thinking that the prisoners had escaped.
But Paul shouted out in a loud voice,
“Do no harm to yourself; we are all here.”

Seeing this supernatural strength, the guard can't help but say, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

Experiencing the conviction that comes from the Holy Spirit helps us to believe that the LORD will even be able to triumph over the circumstances of our own lives that keep us from him.  Even the prisons of our doubts and failings are not stronger than him.  He enables us to believe that he will bring his good work to completion in us (cf. Phi. 1:6).

Your right hand saves me.
The LORD will complete what he has done for me;
your kindness, O LORD, endures forever;
forsake not the work of your hands.