An Expository Study of John’s Gospel
CHAPTER 14
Scripture Reading: John 14 (KJV)
THE REVELATION OF THE SON OF GOD TO THE DISCIPLES
Read vs. 1-3
The disciples show us ourselves. Put yourself in their place. Jesus had just said, “I am leaving you . . . going where you cannot come.” Think about it – put yourself in their place. You have been with Jesus from the beginning (John 7:34; 8:21; 12:8; 13:33); you remember that Jesus had foretold His own death (Matt. 16:21; John 12:32, 33); you recall that one of His trusted twelve betrayed Him (John 13:21); you are aware that Simon Peter denied and disowned Him three times (John 13:38); you are also aware that Satan has constantly been against the disciples (Luke 22:31-32); and you recall that all the disciples were scattered and for a time fell away (Matt. 26:31). So, with Jesus leaving, wouldn’t you feel bewildered, discouraged, weak and fearful? The sum total of all these events, past, present and those to come, presents the Lord with a great platform to bring comfort, assurance and promise that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28).
“Belief in God” – not enough
It is not good enough to just “believe in God.” Jesus said, “Believe also in Me.” Jesus was the “Word” and as Deity was in the “beginning with God.” This Word “became flesh and dwelt among men, and we beheld His glory, the glory of the only Begotten of the Father” (John 1:14). In the past, God spoke unto the fathers by the prophets, “hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son” (Heb. 1:1).
Heaven is a place
“I go and prepare (make ready beforehand) a place for you.” Picture in your mind the house where you live – it is a place. Picture the house where you grew up – it is a place. Heaven is a place, suited for our eternal needs.
Heaven is a Person
Christ will be there. God will be with us (Rev. 21:3). Loved ones will be there. What would heaven, the place, be like if there were no people? When parents die, the old home-place is often sold, because it becomes a place without people – without our loved ones.
Heaven is for Christians
We will be in heaven because He is preparing it and has promised to come again for us. An old preacher told of a woman who was overly excited after worship services and said,
“O, how I want to go to heaven.” A very understanding thought for a Christian, since Heaven is the natural end of this life for all those in Christ (Eph. 1:3). In Heaven there will be room for all.
Read vs. 4-10
Thomas, the apostle, was a realist. It was sheer honesty when he said, “Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?” Now, over 2,000 years later we still follow on by faith. We believe that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. In other words, the way to God is still by Jesus, the Anointed One. Philip joined the conversation with the demand, “Shew [show] us the Father.” Consider the pitiful state of the disciples. Consider the tremendous advantage we have. We can simply open the revealing pages of the Bible. Now comes some of the most intimate teaching of Jesus.
The Way, Truth, Life
Jesus proclaimed, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” His claims to the “I Am’s” – now number seven.1 He has declared, “No man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” The Father is Truth and Life. Jesus is the Way – the only Way.2
Philip Rebuked?
The reply of Jesus to Philip may have been more of a rebuke than an answer. Yet, consider the view of the disciples: they were lost – lost as to what had happened, was happening, and would soon be happening. They needed a week of reflection before Pentecost, simply to put together the events of which Philip now inquires (Acts 1:13-14).
Do you know Jesus?
“If you had known me, you should have known my Father also.” How much do you know about Jesus? That is how much you know about the Father. Jesus reflects the very essence of the Father (Heb. 1:1-3). To the Greeks, God was thought of as “The invisible One.” The Jews often quoted the saying, “No man can see the Father and live.” Then Philip asked what each of us would like to ask, “Lord, show us the Father.” Philip possibly desired what Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel received: “and they saw the God of Israel” (Ex. 24:9-10). Or, perhaps as a magician pulls rabbit out of a hat, Christ could materialize His Father, unveil Him for them to see. We read of “the mighty arm of God” or “the all-seeing eye of God” – anthropomorphisms. We naturally desire to think of God as having our physical characteristics. On this special occasion, Philip may have reflected about when God revealed His glory to Moses (Ex. 33:12-32). When Jesus taught the disciples to pray, He began with, “Our Father” (Matt. 6:9). Paul refers to God in the close and personal term, “Abba.”3 This is the equivalent to our endearing terms, “Dad”, or “Daddy.” God was in Jesus: tempted and tried; taking part in the common things of everyday life. This Jesus (God) was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born into a common home, lived a sinless life, eventually paid a price He did not owe – a price we could not pay.
Today, the most common sin to Christians is “unbelief.” John eventually recorded the words of the risen Christ, “But these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ [Annointed One] and that believing ye might have life through His name” (John 20:31).
Read vs. 11-14
No blind faith allowed: believe the evidence; examine the character of Jesus; look at His mighty miracles; consider His sacrifice; witness His resurrection; be amazed at His ascension. If your faith is weak, read about God-head.4 Examine the evidence Jesus sent to His cousin in jail, “the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them” (Matt. 11:5). Jesus was real and so His Father was real, for the Words and Works He spoke and did were His Father's Words and Works.
Greater works
The greater works would come with the power of the Spirit (Acts 2). Jesus sent the Spirit to them (v 26); “In the Name” was the key. Not a magic formula, but a true banner unfolded above the head of each believer. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). It was “in the name of Jesus” that 3,000 were ushered into the body of Christ on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:38). It is a “more excellent name” (Heb. 1:4); a “worthy name” (Jas. 2:7); a “name above all other names” (Phil. 2:9-10). Thus, “whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him” (Col. 3:17).
Prayers
Prayers in the New Testament are usually addressed to God the Father; prayer addressed to the Son is proper also (Acts 7:59). The goal of every prayer is to praise and glorify the Father.
Read vs. 15-31
Emphasis is so important when reading and studying God’s Word. If one begins with an emphasis on “commandments”, following Christ can easily be reduced to a legal concept or strict law. If obedience is emphasized then the end results may either be frustration, because of human failure, or self-righteousness, because of following a few selected commandments. If, however, we emphasize love (Agape), then obedience will become our spiritual nature. “If [in case that, granting that, allowing that] ye love Me, keep [results, end product] My commandments” (1 John 2:3; 3:22, 24; 5:3; emphasis added). Jesus is our example and we should follow in His steps (1 Pet. 2:21). He is not requiring something of His followers that He did not follow Himself (John 14:31). “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14).
Elders
A strong point is made for those who would serve as elders or pastors. Peter writes, “neither as being lord's over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock . . . Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder [older]. Yea all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility; for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble” (1 Pet. 5:3, 5).
Loving obedience
So, the idea of “loving obedience” is not prompted from a legal motive but by a loving motive. Paul writes, “And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Phil. 2:8).
Power
“And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever” (v. 16). Little has been said about the Holy Spirit thus far in John’s Gospel. The encounter of Jesus with Nicodemus was a private conversation (John 3). The reference in John 7:37-39, looked forward to the Day of Pentecost. Yet, in chapters 14 through 16, Jesus prepares them for the coming hurt and the jubilant victory to follow. The Greek word is, “Parakletos” – literally meaning “to be the counselor”. When Jesus comes he will counsel, comfort, help and be in us. In effect Jesus is saying, “I’m leaving, but He is coming.” “The world cannot receive Him, neither knows Him; but ye know Him for He dwelleth with you and shall be in you” (v. 17).
Understood?
Surely, the words spoken on this occasion to His disciples were not understood. The Lord did not explain them, knowing the coming events would make all things clear. When we read the Word of God, we read as those watching a time-delayed sporting contest; we know the score and the winner. However, the Lord's disciples felt the pain, endured the hurt, long before the plan was made plain and God’s purpose revealed. The Holy Spirit would be their comforter and teacher – their Parakletos.
The Holy Spirit
In the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), the Holy Spirit came on some believers for particular missions, special enablements. When the mission was accomplished, the power of God (Spirit) would withdraw. Under the Christian age, the Holy Spirit indwells, as a permanent resident in every believer (Acts 2:38; 1 Cor. 12:13; Rom. 8:9). What did Jesus mean when He said, “I will come unto you” (v. 18)? Was He speaking of His resurrection; or, the coming of the Spirit on Pentecost day? V. 19 seems to indicate the resurrection, for He appeared unto them for forty days. They all witnessed the risen Christ (1 Cor. 15:1-9).
Read vs. 22-26
Judas is mentioned, but he is not the Judas who betrayed Jesus. He could have been the disciple called, “Thaddaeus.”5 The puzzle seemed to be how Jesus would make Himself known or manifest to them, but not to the world.
Love and obedience
Love does not necessarily grow out of obedience. A service man may despise the draft each day he's in the Army, while obeying all requirements. A son does not grow to love his father through forced obedience. But, the opposite is true. Obedience is a definite result when love is the motive (mover). “If ye love me” is the real power (1 John 2:3). As a result, the Father and the Son will “abide” with us. The word, “abide” literally means, “we will make our home with him.” The Greek word is monen and only appears one other place in the New Testament text (John 14:1). “Many missions” (plural monai); literally “many rooms.” To receive Jesus is to also receive His Father. Obedience will quickly follow the pathway of love.
Our view
Through the Word of God, we can view the over-all scene and understand it. But, the Lord’s disciples understood the mission, purpose, and Deity of Jesus only after His death, burial, resurrection, and the filling of the Spirit on Pentecost day. When the Holy Spirit filled their hearts, He taught them how to teach others, refreshing their memories of all the teachings of Jesus (v. 26).
Read vs. 27-31
The disciples were filled with anxiety and fear. They had cast their lots with a man called Jesus. Danger and even death were real possibilities and Jesus could not take them beyond their understanding. When He could do so, He did. “Don't be concerned about the world, but receive what I have in my heart – total peace.” The normal way to say “Goodbye” in New Testament days was “Peace” (Salom). This was no normal time. The legacy that Jesus left us was, “My peace I leave with you – My peace I give unto you.”
Matthew’s writing
Matthew’s account of the Gospel was written to win his fellow Jews to Christ. It is placed first in the New Testament, for it is filled with the key word, “fulfilled” (“filled full”). The evidence Matthew gives meets the need of every Israelite looking for Messiah.
Mark’s writing
Mark’s account of the Gospel was written for the Roman mind. Rome meant power. They knew nothing of prophecy, nor were they looking for an emperor. They would rightly be impressed with Jesus, a man of instant power and action: He healed the sick; He made the lame to walk; He raised the dead. So, Mark emphasizes the miracle power of Christ.
Luke’s writing
Luke, the only non-Jew to write in the New Testament, makes his appeal to the Greek. Luke was a former physician and fills his account of the Gospel with the message of salvation – the lost coin, the lost sheep, the lost prodigal of the father, the teaching of Christ, the parables, the loving nature of Christ, which appealed to the Greek mind.
John’s writing
John does not write to the Jews, Romans, or Greeks. In his account of the Gospel John, the one who often leaned on the bosom of Christ, who remained at the cross, who received the mother (Mary) of Jesus as his very own, gives the intimate details of Jesus and His disciples. He relates the calling of the disciples, one by one; the personal conversation of Christ with Niccodemus; the Samaritan woman at Jacobs Well; the story of the blind man and his healing; and many other things Jesus did. While Jesus lived some 33 years on earth, the four accounts of the Gospel only record some 33 days of that life.
A key verse
One of the key verses in the Book of John is, “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples which are not written in this book; but these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye may have life through His name” (John 20:30-31). John is the writer who bridged the gap between the death, burial, resurrection of Christ and Pentecost. He writes about heaven and a place prepared for each believer; about the coming Holy Spirit and the power He will bring. John tells of the post-resurrection appearance of Jesus and how Thomas examined the nail prints and body scars of Jesus declaring, “My Lord and my God”. It was John who gave us the final beatitude, “Blessed are they which have not seen, and yet have believed” (John 20:29). John’s account of the Gospel is for all believers; Jew, Roman, Greek, barbarian—all mankind.
Goodbye
We are all selfish when it comes our time to say “goodbye” to a loved one. If, like the disciples, we were more spiritual and mature, we would “rejoice in the death of a saint.” They did not understand the Lord’s “going away”, or His “coming again.” Jesus told them now so they would understand later.
Jesus, a lesser God?
From the statement, “For the Father is greater than I,” there are those who would argue that Jesus was a lesser God, because, by coming to earth, He became a created being. If so, you have Polytheism which is clearly unbelievable. The Father and the Son share the same essence;6 they are One in purpose and essence (10:30). The Father is greater in office or glory than the Son was in His suffering and humiliations.7 Jesus was “in the form of man” and subject to His Father’s will. “He learned obedience by the things He suffered. And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him” (Heb. 5:8-9).
Final hours
Having taught His disciples the last sermon, He is now ready for the Garden of Gethsemane (“wine press”). From the upper room to the Mount of Olives was the beginning of the final journey. The temptation was never greater to turn back, but He did not. Who would have argued against a few more years of teaching, preparing disciples, setting a better foundation for the coming Kingdom? The days of teaching will soon turn into a night of praying. The final hours of suffering humiliation, pain and the awful separation from the Father, was nigh. John’s record of Jesus has a simple purpose, that those who read may say, “My Lord and my God.”
