When He Is Come - Media Sabda Org

WHEN HE IS COME
by
Joshua Stauffer
Chapter 2
THE EXPEDIENCY OF CHRIST'S DEPARTURE
Christ said to His followers, "It is expedient for you that I go away" (John 16:7). Expedient means
"for the best." Expedient means "for the best." The real meaning of this Scripture is: It is best for you
that I go away. The reason Christ gave for His departure was that the Comforter might come. The
coming of the Holy Spirit cannot be separated from the departure of Christ. The descension of the
Holy Spirit must always be associated with the ascension of Christ. The disciples were loathe to
believe that Christ would depart, but He said, "I tell you the truth." The visible and bodily presence
of Christ meant much to the disciples. While He was on earth, He greatly endeared Himself unto
them. He called them to be His followers, He led them from place to place, and when they needed
to be taught, He took time to teach them lessons of spiritual truth, and when they were mistaken, He
reproved them. When the multitudes were hungry He fed them, and when the sick were brought to
Him, He healed them. His ministry had brought cheer and comfort to their hearts. It was no little
wonder that sorrow and disappointment filled their hearts when He said, "But now I go my way to
him that sent me." They felt that they would be comfortless in the world without Him, or as children
who had been bereaved of their parents' love and care. Christ told them He would not leave them
comfortless, or orphans, in the world to face their problems alone, but that He would send them
another Comforter. There is much implied in the words, "It is expedient for you." Not only was it
best for the disciples, but it also was best for Christ, the Holy Spirit, the world, and this age. Christ
always has done and will do that which is best for everybody.
I. The Superior Value of Christ's Death and Resurrection
Christ came into the world specifically to die. Other men come into the world to live. We are not
saved by His beautiful life, but by His vicarious death. The benefits of the death and resurrection of
Christ are vastly greater than we can realize. The comprehension of many people concerning Christ
does not go any further than that He died for them, so that when they die they may go to heaven. By
anticipation of the death of Christ in the fullness of time, probation was renewed to the human race
after the fall of Adam, making possible the offer of grace unto all. It secures all who come into the
world and die in an innocent state. Not one infant that has died in infancy has been lost and separated
from God, for all have been redeemed and received into heaven because the gift of eternal life is
given unto them without faith, repentance, or works, as the free gift of God. The death and
resurrection of Christ also make possible the forgiveness of sins, or regeneration; the cleansing from
inbred sin by the baptism with the Spirit; the gathering out of the church as the body of Christ; the
redemption of Israel as a nation; the resurrection and exaltation of all saints; the destruction of Satan,
and all of his followers, and it also will be the means of ushering in everlasting righteousness with
a new heaven and a new earth, where sin will never enter.