John 14

In John 14, Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure. He offers comfort and assurance, promising them the gift of the Holy Spirit and a place with the Father. Jesus emphasizes His identity as the way, the truth, and the life, and He reassures them that their faith in Him will empower them to continue His works. The chapter is filled with promises, guidance, and an invitation to trust in God's plan, even in the face of uncertainty.

John 14:1-10 (NKJV)
1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And 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 where I go you know, and the way you know.”
5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
7 If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.”
8 Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.”
9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works."

In these verses, Jesus encourages His disciples to have faith in Him and not be anxious. He assures them of a heavenly home prepared for them and promises His return to bring them there. When Thomas questions the way, Jesus reveals Himself as the exclusive path to the Father. Philip's request to see the Father prompts Jesus to clarify His oneness with the Father, highlighting that to see Him is to see the Father. This passage emphasizes both Jesus’ unique role in salvation and His divine identity.

John 14:11-14 (NKJV)
11 “Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.
12 “Most assuredly, 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 My Father.
13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”

Jesus invites His disciples to trust in His unity with the Father, either through faith or by the evidence of His works. He also promises that those who believe in Him will do even greater works, as He returns to the Father and empowers them. This passage encourages prayer in Jesus’ name, assuring them that God will respond to requests that align with His will and bring glory to Him.

John 14:15-18 (NKJV)
15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.
16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—
17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.”

Jesus links love with obedience, highlighting that keeping His commandments is an expression of true love. He promises the gift of the Holy Spirit, the “Helper” or “Advocate,” who will remain with them. The Spirit, whom the world does not know, will dwell within believers, guiding and comforting them. Jesus assures His followers that they will not be abandoned, promising His presence through the Spirit.

John 14:19-24 (NKJV)
19 “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also.
20 At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.
21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?”
23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.”

Jesus promises that, although the world will no longer see Him, His disciples will continue to experience His presence. He emphasizes the importance of love expressed through obedience and assures that those who love Him will experience a unique relationship with Him and the Father. Jesus explains that true intimacy with God is reserved for those who are devoted to Him, a response to Judas' question on why Jesus will reveal Himself to them and not the world.

John 14:25-31 (NKJV)
25 “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you.
26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
28 You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I.
29 And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe.
30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.
31 But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here.”

Here, Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will guide His disciples, reminding them of His teachings. He offers them peace that transcends worldly comfort, encouraging them to be untroubled and courageous. Jesus explains that His return to the Father should be a cause for joy, as it fulfills God’s plan. He concludes by mentioning the approach of “the ruler of this world” (a reference to Satan), affirming His commitment to obey the Father and inviting the disciples to continue with Him.