Lesson 2 - John 14:1-14 - JESUS COMFORTS HIS DISCIPLES
INTRODUCTION: The last nine chapters of John's gospel-Chapters 13-21, known as the Book of Glory-cover the final week of Jesus' life as He prepares His disciples for His coming death and for their ministry after His resurrection and ascension. Last week, in John 13:1-11, we saw Jesus gather His disciples in the upper room for a meal during the Passover Feast. He informed them that "His hour had come"-His time of glorification (13:1) and knowing that Judas would betray Him, that He was "going back to God" (13:3). While the meal was in progress, Jesus took off his robe, "poured water in a basin and began washing the disciples feet" (13: 4-5). When Peter protested, "Never shall You wash my feet," Jesus replied, "if I do not wash you, you will have no place with me" (13:8). The deeper meaning of foot washing had to do with the cross: Jesus is preparing his disciples for His cross, and His humble service at this table is a mere foreshadow of the far larger act of humble service that He will render on the cross for the sake of all humanity. One the chief things we learned from Jesus' example was that humble service should be an essential reality in our Christian walk-that Christ-like humility understands and accepts that no task is beneath us for Christ's sake.
This week, in John 14:1-14, we'll hear some very familiar verses as Jesus continues to prepare His disciples for His glorification-death resurrection, and ascension-as He explains that faith in Him is the same as faith in God the Father-to know Him is to know "the way, the truth, and the life" (14:6). Jesus' words, actions, and miracles should be enough to give them (and us) the assurance that He can and will make good on all His promises.
Read John 14:1-13 - DO NOT LET YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED
1 "Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.
v. 1a: "Do not let your heart be troubled;" - Jesus has just informed disciples of His betrayal and death and that He Himself has been "troubled in spirit" (13:21), He has Just announced to them that He will not be with them but "a little while longer," and that He's going to a place where they can't come (13:33). For these disciples, who have left everything to follow Jesus, this would have been absolutely devastating news. He even said Peter would deny Him three times (13:38). In those few words, they learn their entire lives are about to be turned upside down. Put yourself in their position.
v. 1b: "believe in God, believe also in Me." - Although He's facing the prospect of certain death, Jesus isn't focused on His own troubles but those of His disciples. In the face of this impending catastrophe, He tells them (my paraphrase): that since all of you believe in God, you can also believe in me. The Key word here is "believe," a core gospel concept. So, Jesus is calling his disciples to believe, not because of the impending crisis, but in spite of it-to be assured of the things hoped for; to be convicted of the things not seen (Heb. 1:11). Jesus will bless His disciple's faith not in the here and now but in the near future by bringing forth from them the church-the new Israel.
v. 2a: "In My Father's house are many dwelling places;" - This phrase is far It more descriptive and personal than the word 'heaven.' It suggests a father with whom you have a loving relationship and a place where you enjoy the privileges His family. That there are "many dwelling places" (mansions KJV) means there will be plenty of room for all. The word used for "dwelling place" (Gk. monai) has more to do with a relationship than a location and also suggests permanence-i.e., forever.
v. 2b-c: "if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. - Jesus assures His disciples that He's not abandoning them; while His impending death is part of God's plan, it's not the final act: They are assured that Jesus will return to gather His disciples, but first, He must "go to prepare a place" for them.
v. 3: "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." In Greek, the "if" here isn't conditional. It means since I'm going to prepare a place... There are two implications in the phrase to "I will come again": (1) His post-resurrection appearances and (2) the rapture when Christ will gather all believers (deceased and living) just before the end-times (John 17:24; 1 Thess. 4:13-17).
Read John 14:4-7 - I AM THE WAY THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE.
4 And you know the way where I am going." 5 Thomas *said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?" 6 Jesus *said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. 7 If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him."
v. 4: "And you know the way where I am going." - It's no accident that Jesus indicates that the disciples should "know the way" to their destination rather than the destination itself. The meaning of "the way" only becomes clear in retrospect: We shouldn't blame the disciples for failing to understand that Jesus' death will be, at the same time, the way by which He will return to the Father.
v. 5: "Thomas *said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?" - We should admire Thomas' (the "doubter") questioning. After the resurrection, Thomas will not believe those who claim to have seen the risen Christ, and will boldly tell them that he doesn't believe it (20:24-31). In this verse, he doesn't understand "the way" and boldly asks for clarification. Teachers should love students like this. Questions and answers are a very effective teaching tool.
v. 6: Jesus *said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. " - This is the sixth of seven "I am" (Gk. ego eimi) in this gospel, "I am" being the name for God Himself (Ex. 3:14). For those who believe in Him, He is:
v. 7a: If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also;" - The disciples know Jesus some level, especially as a teacher and spiritual leader, but their full understanding of Him is still clouded. Earlier in this gospel, He declared that "the Father is in me, and I in the Father" (10:38).
v. 7b: "from now on you know Him, and have seen Him." - This statement stresses the intimate (i.e., supernatural) bond between the Father and the Son. Jesus provides full revelation of the Father, so that, through Jesus, His disciples had been shown true knowledge of Him; however, it will not be until after the resurrection that they will fully grasp it, and through Jesus, know the Father.
Read John 14:8-10 - HE WHO HAS SEEN ME HAS SEEN THE FATHER
8 Philip *said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." 9 Jesus *said to him, "Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works.
v. 8: "Philip *said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." - Philip wasn't among the three disciples present at Jesus' transfiguration (Matt. 17:1-2), where Jesus openly displayed a glorified (divine) appearance. So here, Philip is apparently asking Him for some type of divine manifestation. In the OT, Moses and Isaiah had been given visions of God's Glory (Ex. 33:18: Isa. 6:1).
v. 9: "Jesus *said to him, "Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, 'Show us the Father'?" - Here, Jesus gently rebukes Philip. He's not implying that Philip doesn't know Him in the personal sense, but is affirming that Philip should have some notion of what Jesus is trying to explain to them. Jesus is the greater fulfillment of the limited OT events mentioned above and He makes the bold affirmation that to see Him is the same as seeing the Father. On repeated occasions, the disciples have already seen the unity between Jesus and the Father through His works (i.e., miracles and signs). Now He makes it crystal clear: "He who has seen Me has seen the Father."
v. 10a: "Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me?" - Notice again the emphasis on a personal relationship. Even though there is a complete, mutual indwelling of the Father and the Son, the Father and the Son remain distinct persons within the Trinity, as does the Holy Spirit, and the three of them still constitute only one Being in three persons (Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14). Indeed, we modern Christians, despite our complete New Testaments and access to a host of commentaries, still struggle to comprehend the nature of the Trinity. Yes?
v. 10b: "The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works." - Since Jesus' teachings are not of human origin-i.e., not on "My own initiative," He offers the third piece of evidence: the signs and miracles. This point will be developed in more detail in the next verses.
Read John 14:11-14 - BELIEVE BECAUSE OF THE WORKS THEMSELVES
11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves. 12 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.
v. 11a: "Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me;" - The Christian faith invites people to believe in a whole host of doctrines, which are important, but at the very heart of our faith is belief in a person. We begin by believing Jesus is the Son of God and that He is one with the Father, and if we believe this, the rest of Christian doctrine becomes more comprehensible.
v. 11b: otherwise believe because of the works themselves." - These "works" are Jesus' signs and miracles. They are important because they make it possible for people to take a leap of faith and believe that Jesus is who He claims to be; and His disciples have witnessed these things in person.
v. 12: "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father." - These "greater works" depended on Jesus going to the Father, because they are works done in the strength of the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus would send to them from the Father. While Jesus' ministry lasted only a few years in small region (Judea and Galilee), Jesus' disciples will go into all the world, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
v. 13: "Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son." - The foundation for interpreting this verse is based on the qualifier that Jesus gives: "ask in My name:" that requests should be made in the name of Jesus and indeed, that's become the standard way that Christians normally close their prayers, yes? However, this isn't prayer that simply uses Jesus' name like a formula, but is honest prayer that is intended to carry out the work and will of Jesus. We can say that praying in Jesus name is a function of discipleship-a process of bringing our lives and prayers to Him in ways that are consistent with His divine will for our lives.
v. 14: "If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it." - This is a concise summary of v. 13: Despite being widely misunderstood, Jesus didn't intend these words to mean that He's giving us a blank check for anything we ask for in His name. To pray in Jesus' name requires that we have a close personal relationship with Him and are willing to submit to His will. Selfish or sinful requests are not covered by this promise.
APPLICATION-Comfort for Troubled Hearts:
1. Faith in Christ's person will comfort your troubled heart. Faith is only as good as its object. As we've seen repeatedly, everything in the Christian life depends on the correct answer to Jesus' question (Matt. 16:15), "Who do you say that I am?" If Jesus is who He claims to be and who all of Scripture proclaims Him to be, then He is absolutely trustworthy in every trial that you encounter.
2. Jesus deserves equal faith with God. Jesus affirms that to see Him is to see the Father; that you cannot separate faith in God from faith in Jesus. And since Jesus is the eternal Son of God, who created all things (John 1:3), and who was in control over all the events surrounding His death, then you can trust Him in whatever overwhelming circumstances you are facing. Nothing is too difficult for Him and no one can obstruct His sovereign will (Jer. 32:17; Job 42:2).
3. Jesus is the only way to God. This is the sixth of Jesus' seven "I am" statements in John (6:48; 8:12; 10:9, 11; 11:25; 15:1). It's another claim to deity. Jesus is saying that we can have access to God only through Him. Just as in the Old Testament, the only way for the Jews to come to God was through the high priest, who could only enter the holy of holies on the Day of Atonement, so Jesus is our high priest through whose sacrifice we can come into God's very presence without fear of being annihilated. He Himself is the way.
4. Jesus is the unique revelation of God. In other words, Jesus, in the flesh, is the visible manifestation of the invisible God. To believe in Jesus is to believe in God. As Paul wrote (Col. 2:9), "For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form." This claim of Christ can comfort your troubled heart because often in a time of trouble, God seems distant. At such times, we can look to Jesus, who was tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin (Heb. 4:15). He reveals to us the tender mercies of the God the Father.
