The lamps were burning low.

The lamps were burning low.

The meal was finished. The bread had been broken. The cup had been shared. The room was heavy with words they did not yet understand.

And then He said:

“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.”
Gospel of John 16:7

Expedient. Necessary. To their advantage.

How could it be to their advantage that He leave?

Better than walking beside Him.
Better than hearing His voice.
Better than watching Him move with power.

That same night He lifted His eyes and prayed:

“That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us.”
Gospel of John 17:21

They were hearing God speak to God about bringing them into divine oneness.

Before the cross, God was with them.
After Pentecost, God would be in them.

“He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”
Gospel of John 14:17

This is why it was expedient.

The Spirit would illuminate from within.
Convict the heart.
Empower obedience.
Glorify Christ in the believer.
Gospel of John 16:13–14

This is the will of God made visible.

It is His will that we be brought into communion with Him. Peter says we are called to be “partakers of the divine nature.”
Second Epistle of Peter 1:4

Jesus affirmed this will when He commended Mary, who chose to sit at His feet.
Gospel of Luke 10:42

Presence over distraction.
Communion over activity.

And when we pray, “Our Father,”
Gospel of Matthew 6:9

we declare shared sonship and shared unity.

When we pray, “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven,”
Gospel of Matthew 6:10

we invite alignment. Oneness between heaven and earth. Oneness between our will and His.

He forgives us and commands us to forgive.
Gospel of Matthew 6:12

He provides daily bread.
He delivers from evil.

This is not wishful thinking. This is revealed will.

The Son prayed it.
The Spirit applies it.
The Father accomplishes it.

So we pray not as those uncertain, but as those who believe.

Father, our Father, holy is Your name. Let Your kingdom come in us. Let Your will be done in us as it is in heaven. Make us one as Your Son prayed. Align our minds, our wills, and our affections with Yours. Forgive us and make us forgivers. Provide what we need to walk faithfully. Deliver us from evil. Draw us into deeper communion with You by Your Spirit.

And we thank You.

We thank You that it was expedient that He went away.
We thank You that the Comforter has come.
We thank You that the prayer is being answered.
We thank You that You are faithful to complete what You began.

“For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.”
Gospel of Matthew 6:13

Yours is the kingdom.
Yours is the power.
Yours is the glory.

And we praise You, believing that what You have willed, You are accomplishing.