roller coaster

John 16: 5. Roller coaster ride.

Jn 16:7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away...

That must have been what the disciples were experiencing at that time. One minute they were exuberantly ascending the road to Jerusalem proclaiming that the Messiah was in their midst, the next minute, they see Him condemned, scourged, and crucified - a most humiliating death for the king of a nation! Then in a middle of their disillusionment and confusion, a miracle happens and their hearts were filled with joy as the promise was fulfilled - Jesus was once again with them. This was only to find out that  after a while He would leave them and return in an uncertain time in the future.

How it must have been a roller coaster ride of emotions indeed for Jesus's dsiciples! The image was striking to me reading the passage as it was what I experienced immediately after the celebrating the feast of Easter and Jesus's resurrection. It was a time where I most exprienced overwhelming joy most especially with good friends and warm relationships sharing the miracle that is Jesus's resurrection in our lives. Just a few days after, however, that joy was shaken. Not shattered, or destroyed, just shaken.

It must have been how the disciples felt. Hearts troubled with the news of their Savior leaving them, they failed to ask the question of where they will go from thereon. Their hearts were just too preoccupied with sorrow. At that moment where my heart was struck with anxiousness, my mind was clouded with disbelief on how such an experience could happen. Of all the times that it could happen, it had to be immediately after such an occasion where everything seemed right?

Yet this was the assurance that Jesus gave when he was about to leave his beloved disciples,

"But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you." - John 16:7

The joy of the resurrection was that the promise of victory over sin was fulfilled. But more than that, it was a time where the Easter Peace was breathed into those who believed. When Jesus left, His words were strong - welcome the One who was sent to be with us. During times when we are shaken, we might fail to remember to cling to not just the Father who is our comforting hand, nor Jesus, our Savior, but the Holy Spirit who is our Advocate and the one who lavishes us with spiritual blessings:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control," - Gal 5:22

Do we really tap the power of the Holy Spirit as we go about our daily lives?