Jesus in John's Gospel
Monday, May 6 John 14:1-3
“I will come backand take you to be with me”
Onthree previous occasions we learned of Jesus’ deeply troubled feelings: when hefaced Lazarus’ tomb (11:33), when he contemplated the cross (12:27), and whenhe reflected on the betrayal of Judas (13:21). Jesus’ confidence in the greater power and purposes of God made itpossible for him to confront each of these crises. Now the disciples must face similar troubledfeelings by trusting in God and trusting in Jesus.
One of the reasons to trust is that Jesus’ departure will bepurposeful. In his departure he will beworking on their behalf, preparing a place for them. To have a place in heaven reserved for us isone thing; confidence in getting there is quite another. So Jesus promises that he will come back tobring them to where he is. But when willthis “coming” occur? It seems best tointerpret Jesus’ words to mean that he is giving a plain promise of the SecondComing, comforting and reassuring his disciples that they will not beforgotten. Though Jesus is going away,one day they will be reunited, never again to be separated – that is Jesus’promise.
You will return for me, as well, Jesus, andwe will be together for eternity. Amen.
Tuesday, May 7 John 14:4-7
“I am the way, thetruth, and the life”
WhileJesus affirms that they know where he is going, Thomas speaks up and pressesfor more clarification. He claims thatthey know neither the destination ofJesus not the way he will take to getthere. Jesus’ answer in verse 6 is thepremier expression of the theology of this entire Gospel. Of the three terms, emphasis falls on thefirst, “the way.” Access to the Father’spresence in heaven will only be through Jesus and no other. He is the only one who can lead his followersto the place he will prepare.
This is the case because Jesus is thetruth, the authoritative representative and revealer of God. He hears what God says and obeys what Godtells him to do. He discloses Godexhaustively unlike anyone else can because he has seen God. Those who follow Jesus, who come to theFather through his “way,” will be the ones who gain eternal “life.” Thus, this verse places Jesus in the role ofmediator, creating the only avenue to God. Further, if his followers know Jesus, they also know and see the Father.
I know you Jesus, as the One who will bringme to heaven. Amen.
Wednesday, May 8 John 14:8-11
“Show us the Father”
Philip’sstatement in verse 8 is in response to Jesus’ declaration that they have seenthe Father. Philip is wondering how theyare able to see the Father – perhaps there is still something that Jesus can doto show them the Father. As is so oftenthe case, one of the disciples has misunderstood Jesus, and it is a misunderstandingthat can be used by John to bring clarification to Jesus’ teaching. The truth that Philip does not yet grasp isthat in Jesus Philip has before him the full embodiment of God as it can beseen by humanity. In seeing Jesus Philipis seeing God.
This is one of the high points in our understanding of who Jesusis. Jesus is not simply a religiousteacher or guide. He is the One in whomGod can be found, and through whom we can be reconciled to God. At the earthly level, we can believe thatJesus is God’s representative with the power to speak and act in the name ofGod. This at least Philip has witnessedand can believe. At the deeper spirituallevel, Jesus declares that he and the Father enjoy a reciprocity of life: TheFather is in him and he is in the Father.
I believe that you,Jesus, and the Father are One. Amen.
Thursday, May 9 John 14:12-17
“You will do what I have been doing”
If it is truethat the power of God is resident in Jesus and that the disciple is invited toknow Jesus and gain life from him, then in some manner the disciple will sharein God’s power. However, Jesus must firstgo to the Father before the promise of remarkable works and realized prayer cancome. The works of Jesus refer to hismiraculous signs as well as his deeds of humility, service, and love, and insome respect every believer will be able to participate in such work. Most important, whatever believers do must bedone in the name of Jesus so that God is glorified.
The promise thatthe disciples will do even “greater” works than Jesus can hardly mean that theefforts of disciples will exceed those of Jesus, who, for instance, providedthe astonishing miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead. What is “greater” is that these works will bedone by regular people in whom the power of Christ has taken up residence throughthe Spirit. This is why the departure ofJesus is crucial, for only then can the Holy Spirit become a reality to all whofollow Christ.
We do your work,Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Friday, May 10 John 14:18-24
“I will come to you”
In Judaism,disciples who had lost their teacher were considered “orphans.” So, when Jesus says that he will come to them,not leaving them as orphans, he is speaking of his resurrection. While the world will not see him, thedisciples will have a private visual experience. In other words, while from the world’sperspective Jesus will disappear from view (his death), in his resurrection hewill return to them and validate that the power of the Father has been with himall along, and will continue with them.
But the comingof Jesus on Easter will mean more than a mere return of Jesus to life. His aim is to establish the sort of intimacyand unity he has promised throughout his ministry. The oneness he enjoys with the Fatherparallels the oneness the disciples will enjoy with him. Out of love for his disciples Jesus willreveal himself to them, which will result in a profound spiritual union beyondthe world’s comprehension, a union brought about by the Holy Spirit. Further, those who are united with Jesus(i.e., those who love Jesus) show it by their obedience to his word.
Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus, I live inunion with you and with the Father. Amen.
Saturday, May 11 John 14:25-31
“The Holy Spiritwill teach you”
Jesusnow emphasizes the teaching role of the Spirit. The concept of “remembering” occurs multiple times in this Gospel and islinked to the “misunderstanding” of the disciples. During the earthly ministry of Jesus,understanding was difficult. But now,Jesus promises, the Spirit will help them remember the things he has done andsaid and fix them in the minds of his followers. We can see this at work in John’s ownGospel. After Jesus cleansed the temple(2:13-23) John adds the editorial comment, “After he was raised from the dead,his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken”(2:22). It was the resurrection – andits gift of the Spirit – that provided the meaning of Jesus’ works.
Theinspiration of the Spirit, therefore, does not bring forward new revelationsabout Jesus, but simply gives correct applications and meanings for what he saidand did in history. Just as Jesus’primary work was revealing the Father, so now the work of the Spirit isrevealing Jesus to his followers.
Throughthe Holy Spirit, Jesus, I grow in my understanding of you and of your ministry. Amen.