Better Than Jesus In the Flesh: Really?
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you…These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:18, 25–26
“I’m Leaving but I’m Not Leaving You Alone”
Can you imagine how the disciples felt when Jesus, God in the flesh, said He was leaving them forever? They experienced the perfect love of God first-hand. They heard and saw things no one in the history of the world had ever seen.
Every day was a demonstration of God’s miracle- working power. All of that came through Jesus and He said He was about to leave. No wonder Jesus told them not to be sad.
In the middle of the conversation, Jesus told them that even though He was physically leaving, He would not leave them. What? He said that He would come to them through the person of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit would be the means by which Jesus could come to all believers, no matter how many that would become.
Jesus in Every Single Believer
In Acts 2, Peter said that the Holy Spirit is for all those who believe, not just the Apostles or a few special saints. That means that Jesus comes to live in you by the Holy Spirit.
Paul wrote often about Christ living in us (Galatians 2:20, Colossians 1:27). But how does He live in over a billion people all at once?
Jesus is in heaven and so is the Father. It is the Holy Spirit who is doing the work of God in the lives of people who believe in Jesus. That means He is with you and in you right now. He is the One who reveals God and God’s truth to us.
1 Corinthians 3:16 Paul challenged those believers with these words, “Do you not know that you are a temple of the God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” It always amazes me that we can have the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead living inside us and not realize it.
We Can Welcome the Holy Spirit or Ignore Him
The Holy Spirit rarely overpowers us. Most of the time He whispers, invites, or gives subtle internal prompts and nudges. That means, even though He has incredible power, we can miss His presence in us if we’re not taking steps to recognize Him and acknowledge Him in us.
Even after years of being a Jesus follower, I regret to say I still have times where I’m not really consciously aware of the Holy Spirit in me and with me. I don’t feel His power or peace all the time, so it’s my mistake when I don’t take steps to acknowledge Him with me and in me.
The more I do that, the more I become aware of how He communicates, teaches, and empowers me so I can literally walk with Jesus on planet earth.
Holy Spirit, I welcome you in Jesus Name!
How I Practice This
The Holy Spirit is talked about a lot in the Bible, especially the New Testament. But He is the One I have the most trouble understanding. I get “Father” and I get Jesus, a person, to some degree. But “spirit” is harder.
The imagery of fire, water, wind describing the Spirit’s work are helpful, but I have to go back to the Father and Jesus to understand Him as a person. I think that’s ok because the Spirit says and acts in perfect alignment with Jesus.
Nevertheless, learning to live in the Spirit’s reality and power is a constant learning process for me. When I spend time with God, I also honor, acknowledge and welcome the Holy Spirit as the One who manifests Jesus in my life. “Welcome Holy Spirit. Teach me to know you and follow You. I need You!”
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