John 14

Written on 05/10/2024

Verses 1-6

  • We have nothing to fear, because Christ has promised that we will be in heaven with Him. Even death is gain (Philippians 1:21).

  • Knowing the Son is the focus. Jesus is only the way to the Father and the only way to eternal life (Acts 4:12).

    • Use John 14:6 with Acts 4:12 to teach those who think that any religion could save you. If a person says they believe Jesus is trustworthy, tell them what He actually said.  Jesus said these words; the issue is whether we will believe Him or not. As Jesus made it clear that...

      • 1. He is the only way to God. "He who denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also" (1 John 2:23).

      • 2. He is the only truth. Christ and God endure forever. Whereas this world are temporary, since this world and everything in it will pass away.

      • 3. He is the only life, that is eternal life.

    • As long as we keep our focus on knowing the Son, we have everything we need for relationship with God. In fact, the point of eternal life is to know God -- true relationship with God.

 

Verses 7-14

  • Jesus reminds His disciples again that He reveals the Father to us. To see Him is to see God; to know Him is to know God. 

    • ​Jesus became a form of God that could be seen (Colossians 1:15). And we will see Him one day, and we will be with Him. Until then, we have the story of His life and His words in the form of the written Word, teaching us what God is like, and how to walk with God. So if you want see and know God, and learn how to enjoy relationship with God, learn how Jesus lived and follow His habits!​

  • Verse 11. And Jesus says here that we can see by His works (you could say His "fruit") that He is telling the truth. The words and works of Jesus, together, prove to us that Jesus is who He said He is -- His miracles, His death and resurrection, how His life fulfilled Old Testament prophecies, etc.

  • Verses 12-14. By faith in Christ, and the power of the Spirit that He gave to us after He went to the Father, believers can accomplish what Jesus did, and more, through our combined efforts!
    • ​Doing works for the kingdom is simple. Purpose to do the works that Jesus did, and as you live simply pray and ask, and great things can be accomplished. 

  • Verses 13-14. As an additional value, anything that we pray for with faith (Mark 11:23-24), if it agrees with the will of God, will be done, and it will be done in His timing. 

    • Know that your prayers are powerful. See them as a tool to accomplish tasks for the kingdom!

 

Verses 15-26

  • Verse 15,21-24. As a lifestyle principle, we love God by obeying Him. If you want to love and worship God better, and be closer to Him, be more obedient to His Word. A person who does not obey the Word shows that they do not love God.

  • When we first choose to obey Jesus' words and believe in Him, we receive God's own Spirit. After Jesus ascended to heaven, He gave the Holy Spirit—to be with us in His place.

    • When the Spirit comes to dwell within us, it becomes evidence of Jesus' resurrection and our salvation. The Spirit in us is also Jesus' token to promise us that He will come again to receive us into His kingdom (Ephesians 1:13-14).

    • Understand that if you have the Holy Spirit, you have all that you need. You are not an orphan because Christ did not leave you alone. He gave you the Spirit to be with you as a security that you belong to Him.

  • Verses 25-26. Part of the the Holy Spirit's role is to teach us about the Word and help us to remember the Word. 

    • One of the ways we can experience hearing from the Spirit is when we study scripture because the Spirit can bring you understanding as you read. If you don't read the Word consistently, you're missing out on a big part of what the Spirit does. So read daily!

 

Verses 27-29

  • Jesus says "do not let your heart be afraid." Do not allow fear in your heart. Turn away from it like you turn away from sin.

  • We can have lasting peace because of what Christ has done. The world's peace comes and goes. God's peace stays with us. Prayer will allow you to experience more of this peace (Philippians 4:6-7).

  • We should be even happier about the fact that Jesus is now seated in heaven with the Father! Why? In going back to the Father and joining with Him again, more could be accomplished (see notes on John 16).

    • Believe that it is better that Christ is in heaven right now, and rejoice in this! With the Father and the Son in heaven, and the presence of the Spirit on earth, it is an advantage, not a disadvantage (John 16:7)!

  • Verse 28b. As a side note, understand that the Father being "greater" than the Son does not mean that the Son is not God. The Son Himself is submitted to the Father. In this sense the Father is "greater" (1 Cor. 15:28, John 6:38).

 

Verses 30-31

  • Jesus didn't have much time left, as the devil, now possessing Judas, was arranging to have Jesus arrested at that very moment.

  • But Jesus knew that the devil had no foothold in His life. He was going to the cross not as a victim of the devil, but in perfect submission to the will of the Father.

    • Understand that, like Jesus, particularly if you are walking in obedience to God, you are not a victim to the devil. When in sin, the devil has a foothold (Eph. 4:26-27)