From: Rev. Rob Schenck
Your Missionary to our nation's leaders
Faith and Action http://www.faithandaction.org
109 Second Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
202-546-8329

Where do you have Jesus? On the Cross, in the Tomb, in Heaven, or in you?

No matter how often, while walking with the disciples, Jesus rebuked them for their lack of faith or their pride, even until the Last Supper, this outward teaching of Christ was not sufficient for the world or them to conquer their sins. However, once He was in them, as light overtakes darkness, they were able to overcome. The indwelling of Christ, His humility replaced their pride. The Holy Spirit created a new spirit within them. "Be ye holy for I am holy" no longer appeared as impossible as before the indwelling. With the Holy Spirit, living up to the Sermon of the Mount no longer seemed like such a struggle as it was in the flesh.

Are not many Christians still occupied with an external Christ? Do they keep Him on the Cross? Have they raised Him to heaven but left Him there?

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. John 16:7
 

I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. John 16:12-13

Why couldn't the disciples "bear them now?" They walked beside Jesus for three years, but Jesus was not dwelling in them until the Day of Pentecost.

While reading John 14 (below), compare Peter denying Christ three times with Peter on the Day of Pentecost.

John 14 Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.

Thomas said unto him, Lord, we don't know where you are going; so how can we know the way? Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by me. If you had known me, you should have known my Father also: and from henceforth you know him, and have seen him. Philip said unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it will suffice. Jesus said unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet you have not known me, Philip? he that has seen me has seen the Father; and how do you say, Show us the Father? Believe you not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwells in me, he does the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believes on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever you shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. If you love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him: but you know him; for he dwells with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world sees me no more; but you see me: because I live, you shall live also. At that day you shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that has my commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves me: and he that loves me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

Judas said unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loves me not keeps not my sayings: and the word which you hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. You have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If you loved me, you would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, you might believe. Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world comes, and has nothing in me. But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

The Promise, The Comforter, The Teacher