John 14:12

When the disciples heard Jesus say these words, they were doubtless in a state of shock. They had just learnt that their master and friend was going to be leaving them. Given that they had abandoned their previous ways of life to follow Jesus, this was going to mean a colossal challenge. Surely everything, from now onwards, was going to be much worse. But Jesus had a surprise for them. He told them that, in fact, much more was going to happen after he left them. And it would be good.

Jesus spoke along the same lines again in John 16. There, he explained it was to the disciples’ advantage that he went away because, “the Holy Spirit cannot come to help you until I leave” (John 16:7, CEV). Jesus wasn’t saying that more powerful miracles would happen after he left, but simply that there would be more of them when the Holy Spirit was poured out. During Jesus’ ministry he accepted the limitations of being human. He could only be in one place at one time. But with the release of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, the whole script changed. Suddenly Jesus’ followers were fanned out all over the world. More miracles took place than were ever achieved in the years of Jesus’ own earthly ministry.

From time to time, we probably all reflect on how amazing it would have been to have known and walked with Jesus when he was alive. But the truth is that we live in days when even more miracles are happening. Let’s praise God today for the miracles that will be taking place all over the world in the name of Jesus.

QUESTION
How do you think the disciples would have reacted to the news that it was to their advantage that Jesus left them?

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, we praise you for all the miracles that will be happening around the world today as people worship and serve you. Amen

Released on 1 Aug 2023