John 16:7 – If I Don’t Go, He Won’t Come #

In John 16:7, Jesus states:

“But 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 go, I will send Him to you.” (AMP)

This statement by Jesus highlights an essential distinction in the roles of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. It’s profound not only for its immediate impact on the disciples but also for our understanding of how the work of the Godhead unfolds.

The Necessity of Jesus’ Departure

At first glance, Jesus’ words may seem puzzling. How could it be to the disciples’ advantage for Jesus to leave them? After all, He had been with them, teaching them, performing miracles, and providing guidance in a way that was tangible and personal. But Jesus was revealing something crucial about the nature of His mission.

Jesus was speaking of His physical departure—His ascension into heaven. This event, though seemingly tragic to the disciples, was in fact the gateway for the Holy Spirit to come in a new and powerful way. In this sense, Jesus had to “go away” so that the Holy Spirit could “come” in a more intimate and permanent form.

• Greek Insight: The word anagō (ἀναγὼ) for “go away” carries the idea of Jesus’ physical return to the Father. His ascension was the necessary step for the Spirit’s mission to unfold on earth.

The Holy Spirit’s Distinct Role

Jesus goes on to explain that if He doesn’t go, “the Helper will not come.” The Greek word for “Helper” is Paraklētos (παράκλητος), meaning one who is called alongside to help, to comfort, and to advocate. However, in this context, the Holy Spirit would not simply be coming to take over Jesus’ role, but to continue and expand upon it differently.

• Distinct Roles: Jesus and the Holy Spirit are distinct persons of the Trinity, operating in different ways, yet united in their purpose. Jesus, in His earthly ministry, was present with the disciples physically. He could only be in one place at a time, and His ministry, though powerful, was limited by His incarnation.
• The Holy Spirit, however, would not be limited by physical space. His coming would enable Christ’s presence to be in every believer at once, empowering them to live the Christian life in a personal, constant, and worldwide way. The Holy Spirit’s mission is not to replace Christ but to extend the work of Christ in the lives of believers.

The Advantage of the Holy Spirit’s Coming

The idea that it is to the disciples’ advantage that Jesus goes away is deeply connected to the Holy Spirit’s role as the one who continues the work of Christ on earth.

• John 14:17: “He [the Spirit] will be in you.” While Jesus was with them physically, the Holy Spirit would take up residence within them, ensuring that Christ’s work continued in a more profound way.
• Greek Insight: The word en (ἐν) for “in” in this verse highlights the intimate indwelling of the Spirit. This indwelling means that believers would experience the very life and presence of Christ within them in a way that Jesus’ physical presence could not accomplish.

The Spirit Within Us

So, what does this mean for us today? Jesus’ departure and the Spirit’s coming are deeply intertwined with our Christian walk. We, as believers, do not merely follow a historical figure in Christ. We follow the living Christ, who is now present in us through the Holy Spirit.

• The indwelling of the Holy Spirit means that we are not alone in our journey. Jesus, through the Spirit, is always with us, empowering us to walk in victory, to live according to God’s will, and to be a witness of His kingdom.
• The Holy Spirit doesn’t just empower us for specific tasks; He transforms our very nature, making us more like Christ. This is the promise that Jesus gave—the Spirit would continue the work He started, but in a more pervasive way.

Jesus and the Spirit, United in Purpose

In John 16:7, we see the profound reality that Jesus and the Holy Spirit have distinct roles, yet they work in perfect harmony. Jesus, by ascending to the Father, opened the door for the Holy Spirit to come and be with His followers in a new, powerful way. The Spirit’s mission is to continue the work of Christ in and through believers, equipping them to live lives that glorify God.

Jesus’ departure was not a loss but a divine necessity for the expansion of God’s work on earth. As believers, we now have the privilege of the Holy Spirit living within us—guiding, comforting, and empowering us to live the life Christ intends for us.

In Christ,
Godwin.