There is a word in John 16:7 that I have wrestled with for almost a month. Jesus said that he was going away, his death, resurrection and ascension into heaven was to our advantage. I don’t know why but the word “advantage” often has negative connotation for me. I think of someone gaining an advantage, meaning an upper hand or someone taking advantage of another. In my mind, whenever there is an advantage, there is also a disadvantage. So it’s someone is being lifted up while someone else is being pressed down. Every time I read this passage, I bristled at the word “advantage” because the way I think of the word does not match with what I know about God’s character. As is my typical process, I looked to see how other translations dealt with the word especially since I’ve been so uncomfortable with it. The King James says, “it is expedient,” the NIV says, “it is for your good,” the BSB says, “it is for your benefit.” But all of the translation that I use and trust the most, they all use the same word, “advantage.” Again, keeping with my process, I went to the Greek and that’s where I started to find my footing. The word translated “to your advantage” is “sympherei” which is where we get the word symphony and it means to bear together or to carry with others. It is the good that happens when you don’t have to walk alone. It is not when a burden is taken from us, it is when someone comes along and carries it with us. In this week’s sermon Pastor Abie Kulynych teaches about the greatest “Advantage” we have because of Jesus Christ’s departure.
“Advantage,” John 16:1-7
