Alive on the Vine: A Look Into Johnනියැදිය

Day 7: Jesus Multiplied

I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you (John 16:7, ESV).

Many believers have longed to sit at the feet of Jesus, listen to his teaching, see him perform miracles, or even just see the sights of his ministry. It’s a natural longing, and there’s nothing wrong with it. But it wouldn’t make or break our faith, and it wouldn’t give us any access to God that we don’t already have. The presence and power of God that was evident in Jesus’ ministry is available to us as well.

This is particularly true with the ministry of the Holy Spirit as described in the next four verses: to convict the world of sin (or literally to expose sin, as a light shining in darkness), reveal God’s righteousness, and reveal the judgment that has already and will continue to come. Jesus’ words and teachings unveiled these truths and exposed human hearts; the disciples’ ministry, empowered by the Spirit, would do the same. And as the rest of the New Testament shows us, it would do so in a manner that looked a lot like Jesus.

That’s why Jesus’ departure would be good for his followers. There is one Jesus, who could only be in one place at a time in the flesh. But if his Spirit were implanted in all of his followers—and, most critically, if they actually were transformed into his image to do his works—then the coming of this Helper would effectively multiply Jesus’ ministry exponentially. The world would be filled with a multitude of Jesuses—not perfect, sinless expressions of him, by any means, but people who draw their life from him and are endowed with his teaching, love, power, and even his glory (17:22). God’s plan has always been to fill the world with representatives of his nature—and through them, for the eternal realm to break into the visible realm, for the regenesis to break into the old creation, for all things to become new.

Re-Envision Your Calling

Do you envision yourself as a manifestation of Jesus? Most believers don’t, likely from justifiable humility, self-awareness, and a reluctance to be presumptuous. Yet this is the only explanation that makes sense of Jesus’ statement that it is better for him to go away. And it must apply to all believers who will follow—one generation of disciples might have multiplied his ministry, but not for long.

All who draw their life from Jesus are called and empowered to be like him—embodiments of his life and teaching in this world—through increasing faith and expectation. Aim for that, pray for it, press into it, and believe. Your calling is always higher than you think.

Want More Study?

This plan was inspired by Chris Tiegreen's The See Series, a new collection of devotional commentaries on John, Romans, Philippians, and Psalms. The See Series unlocks a deeper understanding of the Bible, often reserved for scholars and theologians, by pairing accessible commentary with inspirational devotional thought. If we can see what biblical writers saw and live according to that vision, we can be transformed. Discover more on The See Series at christiegreen.com.