What’s Better Than Jesus?

By Pastor Doug Cox

First of all, I want to say what a privilege it was to meet with brothers and sisters in Christ last Sunday morning to celebrate the event of all time, the Resurrection of Jesus. I want to give a special thanks to everyone who helped make our Easter celebration so powerful. Much sacrifice went into teaching the kids their song, the classes in children’s church and nursery and the powerful worship songs we enjoyed in the sanctuary. Please don’t forget to thank those who serve the body of Christ.

Now let’s reflect on one of the benefits we receive because we put our faith in the fact that Jesus conquered death. One of the verses we read in last Sunday’s message was John 20:22. The disciples were shut away in a room for fear of the Jews. Then without a door being unlocked and opened, the Risen Jesus stood in their midst and declared “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And if that wasn’t enough, “He breathed on them, and said to them, “receive the Holy Spirit.”

Can you see it? The Resurrection of Jesus made it possible for the Holy Spirit to indwell God’s people. Jesus had already taught the disciples about this earlier in John’s gospel. He told them “… I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever.” (John 14:16) In chapters 14 and 16 of John we find invaluable teachings of what the Holy Spirit would do in those who follow Christ.

He would not leave them as orphans. He would teach them all things. He would lead them into all truth and much more. And so, the beginning of this awesome new relationship began that day when the Triumphant Lord appeared to His frightened friends in that locked room and said “receive the Holy Spirit.”

Notice especially Jesus words in John 16:7 where He said “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.” I’m sure the disciples must have thought to themselves as Jesus said this, “what could be better than being with Him?” Little did they know they would find out real soon. We read about it in the book of Acts.

So, Jesus was right! It was to their advantage that He went away. By doing that He replaced Himself with another Helper, the Holy Spirit. One just like Him. Now He could be with them all, even if they were oceans apart, and even 2 millennium later. Thankfully His Spirit is available to us today and gives us the same advantage as well. So, what’s better than Jesus? Jesus and the Holy Spirit!

Make it a consistent prayer to live in awareness of the Holy Spirit’s presence and guidance in your daily life.