John 14

John 14  •  3 min. read  •  grade level: 8
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The Lord announced to His disciples in the previous chapter that He was going to leave them and return to the Father (chap. 13:33-36). They were naturally troubled about this because they were expecting Him to establish the kingdom in power as Israel's Messiah—but this upset all their plans and hopes. Since the Lord was rejected, He would not set up the kingdom at that time; but He was going to bring in a new order of things altogether in a new dispensation. To comfort their hearts, the Lord laid before the disciples no less than twelve things that they would gain in the new dispensation that were superior to what they had in the old. These things would all result from the Lord going to the Father on high and sending the Holy Spirit. These are the two distinguishing features of Christianity (John 7:3939(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) (John 7:39)). Knowing that they were going to receive something better would bring comfort to their troubled hearts. The twelve spiritual gains are:
•  They would know Him in a new way (relationship) as the glorified Head of the new creation in heaven, rather than having Him as the Messiah of Israel on earth (vs. 1).
•  They would have a place prepared for them to dwell in the Father’s house in heaven (vss. 2-3). Every godly Jew looked for a place in the kingdom on earth, but this was superior to the best place that one could have on earth.
•  They would know the Father by life eternal (vss. 4-11; John 17:33And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. (John 17:3)). The Lord Jesus is “the way” to the Father, “the truth” of the Father, and “the life” that brings us into relationship with the Father. But this necessitated Him accomplishing redemption (John 3:14-1514And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:14‑15)) and returning to heaven to send the Holy Spirit (John 4:1414But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:14)).
•  They would do greater works in service than the Lord did Himself (vs. 12; Acts 2:41; 5:15-16; 19:1241Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:41)
15Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. 16There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. (Acts 5:15‑16)
12So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them. (Acts 19:12)).
•  They would have a new power in prayer through using His "name" (vss. 13-14).
•  They would have the Spirit’s presence and power with them in two ways: “with you,” and “in you” (vss. 16-17).
•  They would enjoy the Lord’s presence in their midst collectively (vs. 18). He would come to them (in spirit) when they were gathered together, and thus they would have Him in their midst in a special way (Matt. 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20); John 20:1919Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. (John 20:19)).
•  They would live by His high priestly help of intercession (vs. 19; Rom. 5:1010For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. (Romans 5:10); Heb. 7:2525Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25)).
•  They would have a new position of acceptance before God in Him (vs. 20 – “ye in Me”) and His character formed in them by the Spirit here below (vs. 20 – “I in you”).
•  They would enjoy communion with Him and the Father in a more intimate way (vss. 21-24).
•  They would have a complete unfolding of the truth through the coming of the Spirit (vss. 25-26). When He was with them, He taught them things concerning the kingdom on earth (“these things”), but the Spirit would unfold “all things” to them, which is the Christian revelation.
•  They would have His peace with them as they faced opposition and persecution (vs. 27).