"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away" (John 16:7a). Our Lord told His disciples of His death, of His return to the Father, and of the persecution they would certainly endure for His sake. Their hearts were heavy and filled with sorrow. He said, "I go my way and none of you asketh me whither goest thou; nevertheless, though you ask me no questions, I tell you that it is absolutely necessary for you that I die on the cross, rise again, and go to the Father." His death atoned for our sins, removed the curse of the law, enabled God to be just and justify us, secured peace with God, and gave us a perfect holiness. By His sacrifice, we have a great High Priest, advocate, intercessor with the Father. As our forerunner, He has entered within the veil into the very presence of the Father and taken us with Him.

     "For if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart I will send Him unto you" (John 16:7b). The Holy Spirit was certainly here before; for He preached through Noah, revealed the word to the prophets, and "the Spirit of Christ was in them" (I Peter 1:11), Peter said. But He had not come in so special and peculiar a manner as He would come to believers AFTER CHRIST WAS GLORIFIED! He dwells in every believer as our comforter, teacher, guide, and the glorifier of Christ Jesus. Had not our Lord died, risen, and ascended to the Father, there would have been nothing for the Holy Spirit to do--no blood to sprinkle, no salvation to apply, no righteousness to reveal, and no comfort to give! Christ said, "He shall glorify me; for He shall receive of mine,and shall show it unto you (Jn. 16:14).