Comfort and Promise: John 14

Introduction Jesus is the only way to Heaven, He is going to prepare a place for us, He will come back to take us to Heaven to be with Him; Jesus wants to comfort the disciples, and all people after them, He also wants to reassure them that whatever they ask from Him they will receive. John 14:1-15 is a passage of comfort, reassurance, and wonderful theological doctrine; John recalls Jesus telling His disciples not to worry about the future because He will provide for their needs and their future is secure in Him. The disciples still did not understand fully who Jesus is and they continue to ask questions about Heaven and God the Father, Jesus patiently answers their questions and in the process revealed His deity for everyone to see. Not only is Jesus revealing Himself to His disciples, but He is revealing Himself to all people of all time that He is the Son of God and the only way, truth, and life, and no one come to the Father except through Him. Jesus was not just the way for His disciples, He is the way for everyone, the promises that He makes to the disciples about preparing a place for them and doing great works do not exclusively apply to them, rather they also apply to everyone who trusts in Jesus as their Savior.
Historical Context It is widely agreed that the Gospel of John was written somewhere between A.D.80-95, this being the case the historical context of the gospel takes place in a post-destruction Jerusalem. After A.D. 70, the strength of many Jewish religious groups in Palestine was broken; the Pharisees began to take more leadership in religious matters, and their influence eventually became felt throughout Mediterranean in Jewish life. They engaged in conflicts with their main competition, the Jewish Christians, and even added a line to a standard prayer that cursed sectarians, among whom they included the Jewish Christians. John 's opposition toward the Pharisees in his Gospel suggests that their opposition could somehow be related to the opponents his readers faced in their communities. “After the war of A.D. 70, many Jews in the Roman Empire wanted to distance themselves from sects emphasizing Messiahs, the kingdom and prophecy. Johannine Christians (John’s readers) had been made unwelcome by local synagogue authorities, treated as if their very Jewishness was held in question because they believed in Jesus as Messiah and kingdom-bringer. The Roman authorities were also suspicious of people who did not worship the emperor but were not Jewish. John writes his Gospel to encourage these Jewish Christians that their faith in Jesus is genuinely Jewish and that it is their opponents who have misrepresented biblical Judaism.”

John wrote to an audience who had been mistreated and abused by their government (the Roman Empire) as well as their religious leaders (the Pharisees). John showed the Christians as well as those interested in Jesus that God will not mistreat them. As it refers to the passage in chapter 14 John informed the readers that Jesus cares for them and that He is going to prepare a place for them in Heaven, He also said that He will come back to rescue them from the situations they are facing to take them home to be with Him.
Literary Context The Gospel of John is much different from the other gospels referred to as the synoptic gospels; almost ninety percent of John’s gospel is not presented in any other gospel. John’s purpose for writing was two-fold: evangelistic and apologetic; his gospel presents Jesus as the Savior of the word. “Reinforcing the evangelistic purpose is the fact that the word “believe” occurs approximately 100 times in the gospel (the synoptic use the term less than half as much).” John makes the case that Jesus not only claimed to be God, but He also proved Himself to be God and the only hope this world has. John wrote to convince the readers of the deity of Christ, his work is centered around 8 “signs” and 8 “I AM” statements to back up his claims, one of which will be discussed in the passage in study. John also uses a selective style in writing his gospel, he is selective in what he includes as well as what he does not include. “He arranges his material carefully to offer interpretive analysis to his readers.” John chooses not to refer to Jesus’ baptism, temptation, or the suffering on the cross. He does however, write about interesting details unknown elsewhere, such as Peter was the disciple who attacked the soldier in the garden, this is the only gospel where we know anything about Andrew, and that of the seven key miracles in the life of Christ five of them only appear in the Gospel which John wrote. John’s style assists the reader in understanding his purpose that Jesus is the Messiah. The fourteenth chapter fits into this purpose with verses 1, 3, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15, this entire passage shows and refers to the theme of the Gospel, Jesus is the Son of God and the Savior of the world.
Author’s Intent John’s intent in this particular passage fits in with his intent throughout the entire gospel; this passage includes one of the eight “I AM” statements that are the central focus of the argument for Jesus’ deity. In chapter 6 Jesus says “I am the bread of life,” in chapter 8 He says “I am the light of the world,” chapter 10 “I am the door,” chapter 10 “I am the good shepherd,” chapter 11 “I am the resurrection and the life,” here in chapter 14 “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” chapter 15 “I am the vine,” and on several occasions throughout the gospel Jesus says I Am..I Am. Again John wants to let everyone know that Jesus is Lord, in chapter 14 on four occasions in verses 1-15 Jesus assures and reassures that He and the Father are one and that He is the only way to the Father. John has a main point and a supporting point in this chapter. The main point or idea is that there is no universalism, not everyone will go to heaven, it is a narrow way, salvation is through Jesus alone. In verse 8 Philip wants to see some tangible proof of seeing the Father, and Jesus let him know that he had seen proof the whole time he was with Jesus. The supporting idea is that in chapter 13 he was talking about death, the disciples were worried and troubled about what Jesus was saying and He was basically telling His disciples to stop worrying.
The Way to the Father (verses 1-6)
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. 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. John 14:1-6

The disciples are troubled, they are worried about the things that will happen to them after Jesus is gone. He had just told them in chapter 13 that He was only going to be with them for a little while longer, He told them not to worry anymore because they need to believe in God as well as Himself. When He says to believe He wants them to have active faith, the word along with the preposition in the Greek means to believe into or in or upon, He wants them to commit to Him with faith and trust. Jesus wants them to have faith that He will do what He says He will do, He then tell them that He is going to prepare a place for them. Jesus always gives them a promise, He says He is going away, but He will come back to get them so they will be with Him forever. This section of the passage it meant to encourage the disciples, He wants them to know that He loves them and He will come back to get them and as He says: “I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also.”(13b.)
Thomas then come in an lets the readers know that the disciples do not yet understand completely who Jesus is; after three and a half years of ministry with Jesus and numerous times of telling them He is God’s Son they still do not understand that He is going to Heaven to be with the Father. Again we see why Thomas got the reputation of being a “doubter,” he says that he wants to follow Jesus but he does not know where He is going. “The Lord made it clear that He was going to the Father, and that He was the only way to the Father. Heaven is a real place, a loving place, and an exclusive place. Not everybody is going to heaven, but rather only those who have trusted in Jesus Christ.”
Jesus’ answer is one of the most comforting verses of the Bible, His answer also further goes into the theme and purpose for John’s writing of this gospel. Jesus tells them that He is the way, not only that He also tells them He is the truth and the life, and that no one goes to the father or to heaven except through Him. Jesus is the master comforter, this should have been a major comfort to the disciple because they have abandoned everything and followed Him around for three and a half years and He tells them that He is the only way to heaven. Even when He has every right to get upset or frustrated with His disciples Jesus continues to love them and help them understand just who He is and why He came to earth. “Jesus is the way to the Father primarily because his death made access to the Father’s presence possible for sinful human beings. He is also the way because he is the truth: he brought the truth of God into the world, proclaimed it and embodying it.” Verse 6 is the most important verse in the whole passage, it is a threefold message to His disciples to make sure that they understand who He is and just how important He is to the human race. First, He is the way or reconciliation to the Father, He is the path from sin and death to God and Heaven. Because of sin the human race is separated from God, Jesus is telling His disciples He is the sacrifice for sin because He is without sin and will die as an atonement for sin. Second, He is the truth or illumination of the character of the Father. Jesus said in chapter 10:30 that “I and the Father are one,” and in verse nine of this passage that “he who has seen me has seen the Father,” so Jesus tells His disciples that He is the embodiment of the truth of the Father. Third, He is the life or regeneration, which means that He produces a new life to those who trust in Him. He wants them to realize that they will not be same, they have a new nature and a new life in Him; this can be seen in action in Acts where the disciples put their lives on the line to proclaim the good news about Jesus Christ and see all who will, come to know Him. This verse can best be summarized in the following statement: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. Without the way there is no going; without the truth there is no knowledge; without the life there is no living. I am the way which thou shouldst pursue; the truth thou shouldst believe; the life which thou shouldst hope for.”
One with the Father (verses 7-11)
7 " If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him." 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. 11 "Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves. John 14:7-11 Philip now asks Jesus to show them the Father, Jesus just told them that He and the Father are one, but again the disciples show they still do not understand who Jesus really is. Jesus responds with "Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip?” Rather than granting the request or explaining why this desire was unwise or impossible, He begins to teach them how to see God and what that really means. Jesus just told them that He is the way and no one can see the Father except through Him, in verse 7 He tells them that they have already seen the Father when they have seen Him. Again He patiently explains that He and the Father are together, He them tells them that the Father is the one doing the work when Jesus speaks and works miracles. In the midst of comforting His disciples and showing them that He is the only hope for them to trust in, the disciples still did not understand the deity of Jesus. He had to again show them exactly who He is and what they should be doing; He wants them to believe in Him and to believe that He and the Father are one. “What Jesus expected of his disciples is expressed in the words Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. He wanted them to understand he was not just a prophet, not just a teacher, not just their disciple-master, not only the Messiah; He was the word made flesh, God incarnate.”
Pray in Jesus’ Name (verses 12-15)
12Truly, 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. 13Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. 15If you love me you will keep My commandments.

Continuing the theme in the previous section, Jesus tells the disciples that if they believe in Him they will be able to do great works just as He did because the same spirit that is in Him will be in them also. The reason they will be able to do these great and greater things is based on the fact that He must leave them and go to the Father; when He is away from them He can send the helper to them. Jesus here foreshadows what is to come; in Acts the helper comes and they are able to do great works in Jesus’ name and they take the gospel to all people throughout the world. He wants them to again understand the power He has, with everything He tells them in this passage reinforces the fact that all things come from Him and He is able to help them if they will just believe in Him and trust Him. Verses 13-15 are more comfort from the master, again Jesus urges His disciples not to worry about what they may face when He is gone. He tells them to pray and whatever they need He will grant to them; however, they must have faith that He has the power to answer their prayers. This promise, that they can ask and it will be given to them, is one that the disciples do take advantage of later in Acts and Jesus proves to be faithful to them when they are faithful to Him. Once again, Jesus reinforces and proves His deity, He tells them to trust in Him, have faith in Him, follow Him, and ask Him for what they need and He will provide.
Finally, He tells them that if they love Him they will keep His commandments. “The true disciple will not only trust God for great answers to prayer, he will also demonstrate his love for Christ by keeping His commandments.” Jesus spends 14 verses explaining how much He loves and cares for His disciples. He tells them first that He is going to prepare a place for them, second that He is coming back for them, third that He is the only way to the Father, fourth He and the Father are one, fifth that whatever they ask for in His name He will provide. Now He wants to make sure they know how to serve Him, He has done so much for them and all He wants in return is for them to do what He told them to do.
Application
Believers in Jesus Christ today are also disciples, the promises and comfort of this passage still applies today to those who believe in Him. Christians still worry, they still experience discouragement; Jesus’ words are encouraging to remind us that He is now preparing a place for us in Heaven and that He is coming again soon to receive His church to be with Him forever in Heaven. The message applies to anyone who has trusted in Jesus, but why would anyone need to trust in Jesus to get to Heaven? Verse 6 is the answer to that question. Jesus says that He is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father or Heaven except through Him. This message was not to the disciples only, but it is a statement and a calling to anyone in any time period that Jesus is the only hope for a lost and dying world to be reunited with the God who created them. Jesus also wants everyone to know that He is not only the way to the Father, but that He and the Father are one. Many people throughout history have said that Jesus was a good man or a prophet, but Jesus leaves no room to question, either He is exactly who He says He is or not, there is no room for question or doubt. He also calls for those seeking God to have faith in Him, if not faith on His teaching alone, at least have faith in what He has done for everyone. Just as He reinforced His deity and legitimate ability to help them in times of need to the disciples, He also reinforces that point as much as possible for Christians today so that we can take comfort in the truth of His words. For those who have already trusted in Jesus the last section is the most comforting, if we have faith in Him and ask for what we need He will provide and answer the prayers of His people. The promise that we will do great things for His glory is also a comforting and exciting task, just as the disciples, each Christian has the power of the Holy Spirit living inside them to accomplish these great works. “Our ministry for Christ begins with faith, follows through by imitating the perfect model, and then through the Holy Spirit spreads out around the world.” Then, just as was the case for the disciples, if Christians love the one who saved us we must follow His commandments. All these great promises Jesus spoke about in this passage only apply to those who have trusted in Him and only for those who love Him, this love is shown by our ability to keep His commandments.
Conclusion
Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life; everything revolves around that one central verse. Jesus comforts His disciples and reassures them that He will return to receive them unto himself that where He is they will also be with Him; this principle also applies to Christians today, Christians are disciples of Jesus and He is also coming to take us to Heaven also. The disciples were worried about what would happen to them, many Christians also worry, Jesus comforts them and lets them know that He is always with them and can help them in every situation. He reaffirms His deity by telling them that He and the Father are one, as well as promising that we will continue to do great works in His name through His strength He will give us. Finally, He gives the great promise and comfort that He will answer the prayers of His people who have faith and ask for what they need. All these promises and comforts only apply if we love Him and keep His commandments.

Bibliography
Boice, James M. The Gospel of John: Volume 4. Peace in Storm, John 13-17. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1999.

Dobson, Edward G. King James Bible Commentary. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999.

Gangel, Kenneth O. Holman New Testament Commentary: John. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000.

Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Electronic ed. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993.

Kruse, Colin G. The Gospel According to John: An Introduction and Commentary. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2004.

MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Study Bible, Revised and Updated ed. Nashville: Nelson Bibles, 1997.

McGee, J. Vernon. Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee, Volume IV Matthew- Romans. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1983.

Towns, Elmer. The Gospel of John: Believe and Live. Chattanooga: AMG
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Bibliography: Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1999. Dobson, Edward G. King James Bible Commentary. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999. Gangel, Kenneth O. Holman New Testament Commentary: John. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000. MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Study Bible, Revised and Updated ed. Nashville: Nelson Bibles, 1997. Towns, Elmer. The Gospel of John: Believe and Live. Chattanooga: AMG Publishers, 2002.