< John 14 >

The conversation between Jesus and his apostles at the last supper, recorded in the last chapter, turned to betrayal and denial and death, generating an atmosphere full of sadness and distress, so Jesus spoke words of comfort to the apostles. He said: “Let not your heart be troubled” v.1John 14:1XWaiting for response and reassured them. He was going away, to heaven, but in his absence he would be preparing a place for them, even his Father’s house of which they were a part, just as an architect designs his plans away from the site. Afterwards he would return so they would be together vs.2-3.John 14:2-3XWaiting for response

These verses are often misquoted to make Jesus refer to the disciples going to heaven, even though Jesus had told them plainly they could not follow him there, but, in fact, the comfort he gave them was that “he would come again” v.3.John 14:3XWaiting for response

Even though the disciples could not follow Jesus physically to Heaven, they were still to follow Jesus, for he is “the way, the truth, and the life” by whom men and women can come to the Father. The disciples could look at Jesus, observing his character and manner of life, and see his Father v.9.John 14:9XWaiting for response He had spoken his Father’s words and done his works v.10John 14:10XWaiting for response and he promised that the apostles would do even greater works, because he was going to the Father v.12.John 14:12XWaiting for response The explanation of this was that in losing Jesus, who was their Comforter, they would gain another Comforter in the form of the Holy Spirit which would come upon them. The Comforter was “the Spirit of truth” v.17,John 14:17XWaiting for response “the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” v.26.John 14:26XWaiting for response Of course, this could only apply to those disciples who had been with Jesus during his ministry whom the Holy Spirit could remind what he had said and done. Others do apply this to themselves, but this is impossible and is self delusion.

Jesus instructed his disciples to prove they loved him by keeping his commandments v.15,John 14:15XWaiting for response and declared that only those who do so are the ones that love him, irrespective of any claims they may make v.21.John 14:21XWaiting for response Those who do indeed love Jesus will be greatly honoured when he returns, as he said: “If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” v.23.John 14:23XWaiting for response Jesus always honoured his Father, who is greater than he v.28,John 14:28XWaiting for response and was perfectly obedient to his every command. He was obedient even unto death on the cross at the hands of “the prince of this world” v.30,John 14:30XWaiting for response but sin would be overcome by his sacrifice and the world would know that he loved the Father; and as the Father gave him commandment, even so he did v.31.John 14:31XWaiting for response