Jesus gives further teaching for His disciples.
Especially clear here in chapter 114 is the unity of Father and Son; there are
23 refs to the Father, 8 to Jesus’ authority, and 14 to the agreement of
father and Son.
The chapter presents our inheritance in Christ,
demonstrating that He is central to the Christian life;
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a place prepared, v1-7;
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the Father revealed, v8-9;
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greater works performed, v10-12;
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prayers answered, v13-14;
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Holy Spirit indwelling, v15-18,
25-26;
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personal experience of Jesus, v19-24;
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the promise of His peace, v27;
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the Lord’s ascension, v28-31.
V1
“Trust in me,” or ‘believe in me.’ Christ’s words here are
attributable to God; these people claimed to believe in God, they are therefore
obliged to believe in Christ also.
These words were given under the shadow of great trial for the disciples;
and so Christ taught them not to be troubled, for He is stronger than any trial
that we may face.
Jesus’ words of
comfort follow straight after Peter’s rash promise, and after Jesus’ own
prediction of his denial; here is comfort for the troubled soul.
V2
Although the disciples could not follow Jesus through death (13.36), they
would follow Him into Heaven, the place prepared.
V3
Heaven; the place prepared, the place of His presence, the place of His
promise.
V4
The way to the place was no longer hidden, for Christ was the first into
Heaven, opening the way for all who are in Him.
V5
Thomas, representing all the disciples, leads the first question; and
there are several others through this section, to 16.33. They still had much to
learn, see 16.12; the Lord Jesus explained some things here, but left other
matters to be revealed later.
V6
Christ is the only way, Matt 26.39; Acts 4.12; 1 Tim 2.5; He is the way
to the Father, reversing the order of v1; we cannot believe in the Father unless
we believe in Christ.
V7
Jesus Christ has revealed the Father, and we cannot know one without the
other.
V8
Philip’s question exposed his lack of understanding, and earned a
gentle rebuke.
V9-10 Jesus
insisted that He had revealed the Father; what else can He do? Philip and the
others had seen the Father, for they had seen Jesus.
V11
See 10.38; Jesus’ own works testify to His deity, and His unity with
the Father.
V12-14
Although the disciples were struggling to grasp some things, Jesus made
great and bold promises, that their prayers would be answered, and that they
would do “even greater things.”
They would do greater things than “the miracles.” Thus, it seems that
Jesus was referring to the preaching of the gospel, which He would shortly make
possible through His death and resurrection.
Some hold that the “greater things” refer to miracles, but this is
less convincing, since Jesus Himself spoke of doing “what no-one else did”
(15.24), and the miracles of Acts are less varied than during Christ’s
ministry; no turning water into wine, no walking on water, no feeding of 5000;
although see Acts 5.15; 19.11-12, where extraordinary miracles were performed.
The Father delights in the Son, and prayer offered in His Name is
answered. Believing in Christ results in great works in our lives. Should we not
be more ambitious in our praying?
V15
Jesus introduces teaching about the Holy Spirit, see also v25-31;
15.26-16.15. The context here is of our love and obedience for Christ, which
things are promoted by the indwelling Holy Spirit.
We see the agreement of Father and Son shared perfectly by the Holy
Spirit, for He is our Counsellor (Helper), the Spirit of Truth, and the very
presence of Christ.
V16
The Holy Spirit given in answer to Jesus’ prayer. The ascended Lord
received the promise (Acts 2.33) as a reward; He is poured out onto and into the
Church.
He is “another” Counsellor, i.e: like Christ Himself.
For us, He is our helper, implying strength and comfort. And He remains
forever, in a permanent relationship.
V17
The Christian knows the Holy Spirit; for the Twelve, the existing
relationship (He lives with you) was made deeper (and will be in you). This
relationship is with the Spirit of Truth; this militates against individualism,
for the same Spirit is in each of us.
The world cannot know the Holy Spirit in the same way, for it does not
know Christ, and prefers error.
V18
The Twelve had come to love Christ deeply; He would not abandon them, but
come to them by His Spirit. We know Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit
indwelling us; He is Christ’s presence in us.
V19-20
See 16.16; Jesus was soon to leave; His words here are a preparation for
that time.
V21-23
Our calling is first, to obey Jesus Christ. An attitude of love and
obedience is richly rewarded, by a manifestation of Christ in our lives. As we
grow in obedience, we would expect to know Him better; this is the spiral of
spiritual intimacy.
V24
The distinction is made with the non-Christian, who does not know Christ,
and cannot enjoy the blessings of Christ in his life.
V25
Jesus was present with the disciples, but would soon be taken from them.
But He would not abandon them, see v18,26; 16.7.
V26
The Helper, the Holy Spirit, sent by the Father “in My name” (Acts
2.33); here is unity in the Godhead, agreeing that those in Christ should be
fully equipped by His Spirit.
The Holy Spirit continues Christ’s ministry, and teaches us about
Christ.
V27
Jesus Christ gave peace to the disciples; His peace, different from
anything that the world may give. Here is peace for this difficult world, peace
that answers trouble and fear.
V28
Jesus’ departure was not something for the disciples to fear; rather
they should rejoice. They had to learn to see things from God’s perspective.
V29
On going preparation for the disciples, the Twelve now reduced to eleven.
V30-31
The battle ahead, but the Lord was concerned for the eleven, rather than
being troubled for Himself. The battle was with the “prince of this world,”
the devil, whom He would defeat. This battle, and its successful outcome, was
the Father’s plan, perfectly completed by the Son.
In closing the chapter, Jesus takes the eleven outside, journeying towards Gethsemane, see 18.1.