Better Than Jesus?

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Imagine tomorrow morning when you wake up, standing next to your bed, is Jesus. You get up. You get ready. He’s still there. You make your way to the kitchen. You pour a cup of coffee. He’s there. You leave the house, get in your car and begin your commute to work. He’s sitting right next to you.

It’s the normal morning rush. Everyone seems to be running behind, especially the guy who just cut in front of you. As you are on the verge of letting out an audible grunt to express your displeasure in his driving tactics, it dawns on you; Jesus is sitting next to you. Normally, such grunts or added hand gestures would be the common course of action, but today it’s different. Jesus is with you. As you glance over at Jesus, he simply smiles. As your eyes meet, you are instantly infused with a sense of patience toward the other driver. Rather than rant, you whisper a prayer, “God help him get to his destination safely. Reveal Your love to him today.”

As you enter into work, Jesus is still with you. No one can see or hear Him, but everything He does – you see. Everything He says, you hear.

You stand up in front of your colleagues to give that presentation. At the moment when fear would normally cause you to break out in a cold sweat, you look at Jesus, and suddenly you are filled with confidence, courage and strength.

Moreover, when you’re faced with a difficult decision and you don’t know which way to go, Jesus is there, speaking to you, directing you, guiding you, giving you insight and wisdom as to how to skillfully live your life.

How awesome would that be?

What could be better than that?

To be able to live the Christian life – with Christ by your side!

The Gospel of John, actually says that there’s something better. Something better than Jesus? What could possibly be better than having Jesus walk around with us everywhere we go?

These words actually came from Jesus Himself. In John’s Gospel, Jesus is about to go to the cross and be crucified. He gathers His disciples together in a special room. During the meal, Jesus began to share His heart with these close friends. He tells them of the events that will soon transpire. The betrayal, denial, suffering, death and ultimately His resurrection and return. In short, Jesus says, “I’m leaving.”

The disciples experience a panorama of emotions. Dismissal, shock, anger, but mostly fear and confusion. Jesus, sensing their uncertainty, simply says, “Do not let your hearts be troubled” (Jn. 14:1). Jesus assures them that He’s going to the Father in heaven, where He will “prepare a place for them,” and in God’s perfect timing return.

While these words were meant to ease the disciple’s distress, all they could think was, “You’re leaving! What are we going to do without you?”

It is at this point that Jesus began to give them a bigger picture of reality. Jesus says,

“I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. (John 14:16-17)

Jesus continues,

But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you (John 16:7).

Jesus essentially communicates, “I’m leaving. But don’t worry, God is going to send another one, just like me. Only, he won’t be walking “with” you, he will “live with you and be in you.” Jesus says, this “is for your good that I’m going away.” This phrase, “for your good” is sometimes translated, “it’s to your advantage.” The word itself can mean, “better.” Jesus says, “It’s good. It’s to your advantage. There’s something better than having Me with you physically…..”

What could be better than Jesus walking with us?

Actually, having the Holy Spirit live inside of us guiding, teaching, directing, helping and empowering us to live in the here and now.

The Apostle Paul said something quite striking in the Book of Romans. He declared to a group of Christ-followers, “the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you (Romans 8:11).

Can you fathom that?

Imagine. Jesus is crucified. His lifeless body is laid in a grave. Three days later, the Spirit of God breaths life into his nostrils. His heart begins to beat. Miraculously, he’s alive! And, now the Apostle Paul says that the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is living in you.

Now, tomorrow morning when you wake up, Jesus may not be standing by your bed. But, rest assured, the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead will be there. If you’re a Christ-follower, the Holy Spirit is inside of you. He is with you everywhere that you go and in everything that you do. He is there, ready to lead, guide, direct and empower you. He’s present to give you insight and wisdom for skillful living. May you grow in awareness of His present-nearness, learn to lean on Him with all your might and experience the Spirit-filled life.

This Week, spend some time prayerfully reflecting on Romans 8:9-11. Write Romans 8:11 on an index card and memorize it. Perhaps, put the card in your car and meditate on the verse while you’re driving. In the morning and throughout the day, remind yourself that God the Holy Spirit is “with you” and “in you.” Ask Him to increase your awareness of His present-nearness.