John 13 key events:Foot washing by JesusBetrayal by JudasPeter’s denial predicted

John 14:1-11 NIV

• "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; trust also in me. (2) In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (4) You know the way to the place where I am going."

John 14:1-11 NIV

• (5) Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" (6) Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (7) If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."

John 14:1-11 NIV

• (8) Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." (9) Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?

John 14:1-11 NIV

• (10) Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. (11) Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.

John 14 is all over the map

• Begins with text rarely used but in funerals– Do not let your hearts be troubled …

• Passover joy gives way to impending dirge

• Jesus preaching his own funeral

• Proceeds to 2nd best known verse in Bible– I am the way & the truth & the life

• Reassuring: promises access to God

• Troubling: politically incorrect exclusivity

• Ends with mumbo jumbo about the Holy Spirit

Awkward moments in our text

• Judas – guest of honor – unexpectedly left– Others clueless about his betrayal

• Peter’s pride was getting in his way– Kept him from his duty – washing feet– Refusal to let Jesus wash his feet

• At the other extreme – he wanted a bath

– Insisted he could “go the distance” with Jesus• Wouldn’t betray - but would deny

Awkward moments in our text

• Three others will show they are clueless:– Thomas: about Jesus’ promise of heaven– Philip: about Jesus’ relation to Father– Another Judas: about nature of kingdom

• Jesus paraphrased: “I cannot count on you, but you can always count on me!”

An incredible insight:

Jesus is never disillusioned with us …Because he has no illusions about us

More than a "pep talk" by Jesus

• About to be reunited with His Father• Death & resurrection will open the way for

them to live with Him and His Father• This will be their mone - “dwelling place”

Two aspects of mone

• Eternal dwelling place– Father's house is spacious – many rooms– Son will prepare a place for each of them

• Dwelling place here & now– “I will come again and receive you to Myself”– Refers to the mone in this present life– Home is where Jesus is – here or hereafter

Jesus’ great conclusive "I am"

• Thomas: “We don’t know the way”• John 14:6 NIV Jesus answered, “I am the

way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

• All the “I am's” – “water,” “bread,” “light,” “resurrection & life” – are summed up in Jesus’ saying, “I am the way”

“I am the Way”

• Jesus’ claim is exclusive– No other door to life with the Father– No other gate into the Father’s fold– No other expression of the Father’s truth– No other way to know the Father– No other way to eternal life

• Politically incorrect – but inescapable!

Philip is not satisfied

• Wants another sign to prove Jesus’ claim• How can he doubt, after his experiences?• Why not let Jesus’ works give the answer? • He will see the Father through the Son

John 14:12-14 NIV

• I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. (13) And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. (14) You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

His work continues in disciples

• Jesus’ message never left Palestine– Disciples would take gospel to the world

• Jesus’ ministry was to Jews of his time– Disciples would reach out to all people of all time

• Modern church work focuses on us & present– May win compliments & approval from church people– But it does not glorify God and it does not endure

John 14:15-26 NIV

• "If you love me, you will obey what I command. (16) And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-- (17) the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. (18) I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

John 14:15-26 NIV

• (19) Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. (20) On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. (21) Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."

John 14:15-26 NIV

• (22) Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?" (23) Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. (24) He who does not love me will not obey my teaching.

John 14:15-26 NIV

• These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. (25) "All this I have spoken while still with you. (26) But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

“Little children” vs. “orphans”

• Jesus promises not to abandon them– John 14:18 NIV I will not leave you as

orphans; I will come to you.• He promises them a “Counselor”

– John 14:16 NIV And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever--

• Right after “ask for anything in my name”

Counselor is paraclete

• Lit. “one called alongside to help”– Examples: doctor, advisor & defense attorney

• Promised gift of the Father– Sent at Son's request

• Sent only to those who love & obey Jesus– Not to the world – neither sees nor knows Him

This is “another helper”

• John 14:16 NIV And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever--

• Significance: Jesus was first paraclete – John 14:18 NIV I will not leave you as

orphans; I will come to you.

This helper brings Father & Son

• John 14:23 NIV Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

• Father & Son come to live with us– No wonder we will never be abandoned!

The work of the Spirit • John 14:17 NIV the Spirit of truth. The world

cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

• Reminder of & insight into Jesus’ words & works– John 14:26 NIV But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit,

whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

– Things they (& we) had not grasped– Things they (& we) might forget

John 14:27-31 NIV • Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I

do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (28) "You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. (29) I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.

John 14:27-31 NIV • (30) I will not speak with you much longer, for

the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, (31) but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me. "Come now; let us leave.

Farewell is not goodbye

• Entering a night of turmoil• Jesus farewell is “peace” – shalom• His farewell is greater than their fears• John 14:28 NIV "You heard me say, 'I am

going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.

Real love releases our beloved

• Clinging love is a selfish perversion of love• Jesus is returning to His Father • Disciples should be glad, not sad!• Bonus: Will return to take them to Father• But not yet …

First, evil one will have his moment

• John 14:31 NIV but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me. "Come now; let us leave.– Betrayer & soldiers en route to get Jesus– He will go because He is obeying His Father– Not because the evil one has power over Him

One last thought• “Jesus is never disillusioned with us because he

has no illusions about us”• Every disciple in the upper room either had – or

would – fail Jesus that night– Sacrifice & promises were made to failures– They didn’t deserve His love – He loved them anyway

• No one deserves His love – He loves us anyway– We disappoint ourselves – we never disappoint Jesus– He just keeps loving us & offering to live with & in us– How can you turn down that kind of love?