“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 NIV)
Jesus assured his disciples that it would be to their benefit that he leaves them, because when he did, he would send the Advocate to them. We more commonly identify the Advocate as the Holy Spirit, but the title Advocate, or Comforter in many translations, is a very descriptive term. The word paraclete, translated here as advocate, means ‘called to one’s side’ and was used in court to refer to a counsel for the defense, an advocate. It is also used in the sense of a succorer or comforter.
I suspect that most believers would love to have Jesus physically present with us throughout the day. But Jesus tells us that it is better for us to have the Holy Spirit in our lives than to have his physical presence. The Holy Spirit within gives us assurance of salvation (Eph. 1:13-14), leads us into the truth (John 16:13), equips us to serve (1 Cor. 12:7-11), and enables us to live the life God has called us to (Rom. 8:9-11). Without the Holy Spirit, we would be like Peter before Pentecost (John 18:17, 25-27). With the Holy Spirit we can be like Peter after Pentecost (Acts 4:13). Get to know your Paraclete/Advocate/Comforter and allow him to transform your life.
