The disciples’ hearts were aching at the thought Jesus having to leave them, but He assured them it was for the best because it would bring them into a new era of power and authority: ‘Anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father’ (John 14:12 NLT). Being ‘under new management’ wasn’t the end. It was a continuation of Jesus’ ministry as the Holy Spirit took the baton from the Son’s hand and placed it in theirs. The Son would leave, but the Spirit would be with them forever (see John 14:16). This was their ‘advantage’. The Spirit would enter their human bodies and live permanently in them.

This isn’t a tentative or vague connection. It’s God’s Spirit choosing us as His permanent dwelling place. And it gives us a massive advantage as we go through life. For example, you might wake up tomorrow feeling stressed, weary, and irritated, and these feelings could easily dictate your day. But because the Spirit lives in you, these things don’t have to control you.

Paul wrote, ‘Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God?’ (1 Corinthians 6:19 NIV). You could be at school, college or university, at work, driving to the shops, walking the dog, waiting for exam results, attending a job interview – anywhere – and as you go about your everyday life, God’s Spirit is living in you and going with you. That’s why Jesus told the disciples it was good for Him to leave and send the Holy Spirit!

What Now?

Say out loud at some point each hour today, ‘God’s Spirit is living within me!’ You could also try saying it whenever you need a quick encouragement or confidence boost.