A Place In Heaven
14:1-4
After Judas left the supper, Jesus taught his disciples. This chapter continues to record the teaching he began in chapter 13. One of the things Jesus told them was that he was going away and they could not come with him or follow him where he was going. (13:33)
And so, the disciples were troubled. But, Jesus told them not to be troubled. Instead of being troubled, the were to believe. They were to believe in God (the Father) and they were to believe in Jesus. (1)
Jesus said this as a command or instruction. This is what they were to do. The antidote for fear and anxiety is belief, or trust, in God. Belief includes trust.
What were they to trust Jesus or believe God about? They were to trust that the Father and Son had a place for them in heaven that would be prepared by Jesus. And, in addition, although he would shortly leave them, he would return (come again) for them and bring them to himself in heaven, having prepared the way by his death and resurrection. Actually, his leaving would be to their advantage!
Jesus used terms for the place in heaven that would be understandable for his disciples. He spoke of heaven as the Father’s house. The Father’s house has many rooms, or dwelling places, some of which Jesus would prepare for them.
The King James Versions interpreted it as mansions rather than rooms, which caused many songs to be written and sermons preached on getting your mansion in glory. But the point is that Jesus would come get them and take them to heaven where he lived with the Father, and there would be a permanent place for them there.
The Old Testament points us to this truth.
First, the creation story shows God preparing a place for the man and woman to live in his presence. Genesis 2:6 says “And the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed.”
Second, when God led the Israelites to Canaan, the “Promised Land”, he told them that he would give them cities they did not build, with houses full of good things they did not fill, cisterns they did not dig, and vineyards they did not plant. (Deuteronomy 6:10-11)
The concept of Canaan as the land God prepared for them and where God’s people would dwell in his presence led many hymn writers to use Canaan as a metaphor for heaven. For example, “On Jordan’s Stormy Banks” has these lyrics:
On Jordans stormy banks I stand,
And cast a wishful eye
To Canaans fair and happy land,
Where my possessions lie.
All oer those wide extended plains,
Shines one eternal day;
There God the Son forever reigns,
And scatters night away.
I am bound for promised land.
Jesus The Way To The Father
14:5-7
Next, Jesus told the disciples they knew the way to where Jesus was going. But, Thomas certainly did not understand. Sadly, Thomas was thinking on a low and natural level. It was as if he wanted Jesus to say he was going to a certain city and taking a certain road. He did not grasp Jesus’ saying he was going to the Father in heaven and preparing a place for the disciples. He said, not only did they not know the way to where Jesus was going, they did not know where he was going.
Jesus responded that he is the way. In other words, you do know the way because you know me and I am the way. (6)
Jesus is also the truth. He is the truth because he is the supreme revelation of the Father. As John said in the prologue, “No one has ever seen God (the Father); the only God who is at the Father’s side (the Son), he has made him known”. (John 1:18)
Jesus is also the truth because he said and did only and exactly what the Father told him to say and to do. (5:19) He said the words of the Father and did the work of the Father, all of which must be true because of who the Father is.
Finally, Jesus is the life. He has life in himself. (5:26) He is the resurrection and the life. (11:25) He has the authority to give eternal life to all those the Father gives him.
If you know Jesus, Jesus is the way and the only way to the Father, eternal life and heaven. No one comes to the Father except through Jesus. (6)
Although many characters on television make statements that all religions lead to heaven and to God, that is not the teaching of the Bible. Jesus is the exclusive way.
God has always declared his exclusivity. He forbade the Israelites from worshipping other gods or making idols. He also provided a specific and exclusive way for the Israelites to come into his presence. Only the high priest was allowed into the Most Holy Place where God’s presence dwelled.
Certainly God has the authority to provide the way to salvation. He is just and must punish sins. If all he did was punish sin, he would still be just. But he is also merciful. In love, he provided a way for us to receive eternal life in spite of our sin. John 3:16 speaks of that. God loved the world by giving his Son so that those who believe in him would not perish but would have eternal life. It is the only way he provided. Jesus was teaching his disciples this exact truth.
Jesus concludes his teaching of being the way by saying “if you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him”. Again, Jesus was saying he is the one who reveals the Father. His complete obedience to the Father in word, deed, and character means we know the Father when we know the Son.
The disciples did know Jesus, although they did not understand everything. Since they knew Jesus, they knew the Father, whether they realized it or not. So Jesus could say now that you understand this, you do know him and have seen him. (7)
Jesus Teaches Philip
14:8-11
It is difficult to understand Philip’s request in light of what Jesus said. He seems to have missed the point entirely. He asked Jesus to show them the Father and said that would be enough for us.
It was an audacious request. Moses and Elijah were allowed to see God’s glory pass by. Philip, though, seems to ask Jesus to pull back the veil and let them see the Father on his throne in heaven. Show me that, Philip said, and it will be enough.
In response, Jesus restated his teaching, but also rebuked Philip, saying “Have I been with you so long and you still do not know me, Philip?” (9) And then he said, “how can you say “show us the Father?”.
Jesus had taught this truth of revealing the Father many times. He also demonstrated it many times by the miracles, or works, he did. Yet, Philip, and maybe all the disciples, has not yet understood that God the Father has made himself known through Jesus the Son.
So, Jesus told Philip again who ever has seen him has seen the Father. He also said he is in the Father and the Father is in him. (10) There is complete unity between Father and Son. Jesus spoke on the Father ’s authority. He did everything the Father told him to do and the Father did his works, or miracles, through Jesus.
Jesus gave Philip the same instruction he gave the Jewish crowds “believe what I say or at least believe the works”. (11) The works testify to the truth of Jesus’ words.
Greater Works
14:12-14
Jesus intended that the disciples would continue to do his works after he was gone. Here he says believers will do the works Jesus does. Not only that, believers will do greater works because Jesus is going to the Father. Whatever believers ask in Jesus’ name, Jesus will do. He will do this so the Father is glorified in the Son. (13)
Over the centuries since Jesus’ resurrection, believers have done this. The gospel has been preached all over the world. Hospitals have been built for healing. Orphanages set up to provide care to helpless children. Schools have been built, food and clothing provided. All these things were done by believers who asked Jesus to do these things through them.
This promise still stands. We should be continually asking Jesus to save people, build his church, and turn back evil. If we believe, we can ask Jesus to act and he will. And God will be glorified in it all.
Amen.
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