Expedient Absence

“It is better for us that Christ should be in heaven Shan with us upon earth. A luojnan had rather have her husband live with her than go to the Indies; but she yieldeth to his absence when she considereth the profit of his trafiicP The figure is well selected. Let us dwell on it a while, and think of the amazing profit which this journey of our best Beloved is bringing in to us. He is pleading in the place of authority: what an enrichment to us to have an Intercessor at the throne of grace, through whom every true prayer is accepted! He is ruling on the seat of empire, arranging all providences for the success of his church: what a gain to have our Head and Leader raised above all principalities and powers! He is preparing a place for his people: what a boon to have such a Forerunner, Representative, and Preparer! Moreover, by his departure we have received the Holy Ghost, of whose divine value what pen shall write! He is with us and in us, our Instructor, Ouickener, Purifier, and Comforter.

Even upon these few points we are great gainers by his bodily absence; but there is much more. If our Lord judged it to be expedient that he should go, then expedient it is in the highest sense, and therefore let us solace ourselves in his present bodily absence from us “till the day break, and the shadows flee away.”