John 14:1-14
Q.1. How did Jesus comfort His confused disciples? To whom did He make His promises? What makes this a comfort for those who are grieving the loss of a believing loved one? – (Jn.14:1-3)
Jesus had told His disciples that He was going away. He also said that they would deny knowing Him (Mk.14:27-31). However, there was no panic seen in Jesus. He encouraged them to not lose faith in Him. He then painted a beautiful picture of their future with Him – 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 (Jn.14:2-3). At this time, much of it went over their heads (Jn.14:5 & 8). However, it was never forgotten. Jesus was soon to return to His Father in Heaven, where He would prepare a home for them, and share with them forever. This is a promise that all believers can claim. It is the source of comfort to those bereft of believing loved ones.
Q.2. How did Jesus explain the way to get to our spiritual home? What crucial truth did He give to lost sinners? – (Jn.14:4-6)
Thomas expressed his confusion – How could they join Jesus? In response, Jesus declared a key Gospel truth – “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me (Jn.14:6). The way to our Heavenly home is based on a relationship with the One Who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. This dismisses all the other man-devised offers of salvation. Sinners must come to God through the Saviour.
Q.3. How did Jesus explain the relationship between Himself and God, the Father? How did He explain the origin of His message and His miracles? – (Jn.14:7-11)
In this chapter, Jesus shared some insights about the Trinity. Later He declared that He and the Holy Spirit are one and the same – He abides with you and will be in you (Jn.14:17). Here Jesus stated – If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him … He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, `Show us the Father’? (Jn.14:7 & 9). This perfect oneness with the Father explains both His words and His works – 10 … The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves (Jn.14:10-11).
Q.4. What greater works could possibly be done by His followers after Jesus returned to His Father? What conditions did Jesus give to guide us in our praying? – (Jn.14:12-14)
The reason why we can do greater works was explained by Jesus with the words – because I go to the Father (Jn.14:12). In other words, the Gospel of Jesus Christ was not truly effectual until Jesus completed His atoning work on the Cross and returned to the Father. Signs and miracles may bless for a time, but Lazarus still died. By contrast, the Gospel saves the doomed forever. Some vainly think that God has given us a blank cheque and will give us whatever we want. However, the promise that our prayers will be answered, is conditional upon – 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 (Jn.14:13-14). To ask in My name is not a magic formula. To ask in the Lord’s name means it is for His sake, not mine. It needs to be something that Jesus Himself would desire. To pray that the Father may be glorified, means that my petition pleases God, not just myself, and that the answer brings glory to God. It needs to fulfil the plans and purposes of God, not just my own. In order to pray in confidence, we need to know God’s will and God’s Word so that our prayers are consistent with the heart of God. Then we can be confident that – If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it (Jn.14:14).