Depth matters more than title width
Contents
John (93) Depth is more important than breadth (John 16:1-11)
< Depth is more important than width >
There was a student who entered puberty. As he slowly opened his eyes to the opposite sex, he wanted to get the attention of the opposite sex. However, his appearance did not support him, so he did not receive the attention of the opposite sex. In the end, he gave up the power of his appearance and developed his fighting skills to force good-looking students to his knees.
He was also interested in broadening his circle of friends. Extensive friendships among peers are also a kind of strength. In particular, the balance of power depends on the presence or absence of powerful friends. So he also made a lot of friends who were strong and good at fighting. However, as the years passed, all ties with those friends were cut off. And as I grew older, I realized that ‘depth of life’ is more important than ‘width of life’.
In life as well as in faith, ‘depth’ is more important than ‘breadth’. Maturity is knowing that ‘depth’ is more important than ‘width’. The words of the Lord, “Enter through the narrow gate!” challenge the ‘deep life’ rather than the ‘broad life’. The reason mega-churches should strive for the separation of churches with a voluntary and joyful heart is that they must lead the members to “a deeper life with the voice of the shepherd and the voice of prayer.” The fact that the Lord died on the cross and came again as the Holy Spirit has a deep meaning to give the saints a “deep life”.
< The benefits of the coming of the Holy Spirit >
In verses 1-4, the Lord first mentioned the sufferings of the saints, and then gave words of comfort to the grieving disciples, saying that it would be beneficial for the Lord to die. Because when the Lord leaves, He will send the promised Holy Spirit (verse 7). Why is 'the coming of the Holy Spirit' better than 'the presence of the Lord'?
First, it is because the spatial limitation of ‘meeting with the Lord’ is removed. If Jesus continued to be with His disciples in the flesh, He would be in only one place at a time, and then He would be local and only as Lord of one individual or community. However, when the Lord is present as the Holy Spirit, he shows full interest in each saint and at the same time, he can have deep personal fellowship with countless other saints from all over the world.
Second, it is because the inner depth of ‘encounter with the Lord’ deepens. If the Lord was still with the disciples, we could only communicate through outward encounters with the Lord rather than through deep spiritual encounters. Then his message would continue to be heard by human ears only through human imperfect language and comprehension. However, when the Lord is present as the Holy Spirit, a deeper and higher level of dialogue takes place by coming directly into the hearts and souls of the saints.
In particular, there is a practical lesson contained in the ‘Extensibility Principle of Grace’ in which the Lord came as the Holy Spirit. That is the life of intercession. A life of intercession is the most important sign of being filled with the Holy Spirit. When we pray for others through the life of intercession and strive to live for others, the work of grace expands and prayer becomes more powerful prayer.
When Peter and Judas Iscariot denied Jesus, Peter denied Jesus by cursing and swearing, but Judas Iscariot did not deny it to that extent, only selling Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. But why did Peter recover and become Jesus' chief disciple, and why did Judas Iscariot fall into hell forever? Many Bible scholars say that it was because of the intercession of the Lord who prayed that Peter's faith would not fail (Luke 22:31-32). That's why intercession is so important.
When I pray in the early morning, I first pray for those who attended. Then, we pray for ‘people in need’, ‘members of the church’ and ‘core members of online early morning prayer’. Then sometimes I can't pray for my family and personal problems. Then wouldn't God give me and my family grace if I didn't pray for myself? There is no such thing. God also accepts my prayers through intercession for others.
Always pursue ‘our universal grace’ for more people, not ‘your special grace’. Then, miraculously, God's grace overflows in my life. How rich would your life be if you pray for someone else's children and enjoy the mysterious and paradoxical grace that solves problems in your family and business? Always follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit and become blessed souls who live and taste the grace and blessings of the life of intercession.