The Epistle and the Gospel for the Fourth Sunday after Easter both raise many meaningful points. This time, I would focus on John 16: 7a where Jesus tells the disciples, "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away." As on some other occasions, the disciples must have wondered what the Lord meant. They loved, respected, and depended on Him. Despite their limited understanding, they believed that He was the Redeemer. So how could His departure be good for them?
Our Lord gives a general answer in the second part of the verse. His departure, His return to the heavenly Father, is connected with the Sending of the Holy Spirit. The divine plan for human redemption included Christ's death, resurrection, and ascension. Only after Christ completed that work could the Holy Spirit fully come upon the disciples and guide them into their mission for Him. The disciples had to move beyond dependence upon His earthly physical presence. They needed to mature and become less tied to localities such as Capernaum and Jerusalem.
This dynamic still applies to us as Christians. Our risen and ascended Lord watches over us and intercedes for us at the right hand of the heavenly Father, And He comes to us throughout the world by the Holy Spirit working through Word and Sacrament. In this way, He offers us grace to continue His mission.
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