Twelve Things the Disciples Gained by the Lord's Going Back to the Father

(John 14)
Having announced to His disciples that He was going to leave them and return to His Father (John 13:31-3631Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him. 33Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you. 34A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. 36Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards. (John 13:31‑36)), they were troubled in their thoughts on hearing this. They were expecting Him to establish the kingdom in power, but this upset all their plans and hopes. To comfort their hearts, the Lord tells them of no less than twelve things that they would gain by His leaving them and going back to the Father. Each of these things was superior to what they had in Him as their Messiah on earth. But they could not be theirs if He did not go back to the Father. These great resources fully equipped the disciples for the path of faith that they were to tread in the time of His absence.
They Would Know Him in a New and More Blessed Way (vs. 1). To have Him on high as the glorified Head of the new creation was superior to having Him on earth as their Messiah.
They Would Have a Place Prepared for Them in the Father’s House (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 Through Eternal Life (vss. 4-11). 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. He had revealed the Father before them in His life, but now the Father would be revealed in them by the coming of the Spirit (John 4:14; 17:314But 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)
3And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. (John 17:3)).
They Would Do Greater Works in Service Than the Lord Himself (vs. 12). Three thousand were saved through one preaching of the disciples, and the shadow of Peter healed a multitude of sick folk (Acts 2:41; 5:15-1641Then 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)).
They Would Have a New Power in Prayer (vss. 13-14). If the disciples prayed in the Lord’s name, He promised to do it.
They Would Have the Spirit’s Presence and Power With Them (vss. 16-17). The Lord promised to send the Holy Spirit who would be with them in two ways: “with you,” and “in you.”
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 they would have His company in their midst (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 on High (vs. 19). He would intercede for them above (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 Before God in Him (vs. 20). They would have acceptance in Him before God (“ye in Me”) and His character formed in them by the Spirit here below (“I in you”).
They Would Enjoy Communion With Him & the Father in a More Intimate Way (vss. 21-24). They would be able to have sweet communion with Him and His Father (by the Spirit) if they walked in obedience.
They Would Have a Greater Unfolding of the Truth (vss. 25-26). The Lord had taught them things having to do with the kingdom on earth (“these things”), but when the Spirit would come, He would unfold “all things” to them, which is the Christian’s heavenly portion.
They Would Have His Peace With Them (vs. 27). The calm that the Lord lived in as He faced opposition and persecution would be theirs.