John 14
Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me (v.1).
What could have caused Jesus to say this to his disciples? From the previous chapters, Jesus had hinted about his death and as you enter Chapter 14, the questions which followed from the disciples reveals a kind of anxiety and fear building up in their hearts.
Simon Peter said…, “Lord, where are you going?”(Jn.13:36)
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way? (Jn 14:5).
Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” (Jn. 14:8).
These disciples have walked with Jesus for about three years and suddenly he has started talking about his death and departure. They had hopes of a Messiah who will deliver them from Roman oppression (Luke 24:21). They were not expectant of a dying Messiah. They were fraught with fear. Their hopes dashed. Jesus, knowing all things, certainly picked up the fear and anxiety in their hearts and addressed it:
Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid (v.27c)
In this discourse with the disciples, there are some lessons we can draw. John 14 contains gospel promises we can draw on to calm our anxious hearts.
Faith In God (v.1)
What Jesus proposed to deal with their anxieties is faith. As believers, the answer to our troubled and anxious heart is faith in God and in Christ. These disciples were troubled and had no clue what was going on. But Christ calls them to put their trust in God and in him. Everything is under control he assures them. Faith is trust and Christ calls them to trust God and trust him.
When we trust God, we can be certain that he has everything under control and knows what’s best for us. What we must note also is that, faith in God must necessarily be faith in Christ or it is no faith. Christ, is, exclusively, the only way to the Father and he explicitly stated that: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (Jn 14:6). We can’t bypass Christ to God. We can’t have faith in God when it is not rooted in Christ.
A Hope of eternal life (vv.2-3).
Christ assures the disciples he goes to prepare a place for them and will return for them. Here we see a certainty of Christ’s second coming. He will come for his own. Our world is overwhelmed with disease, sickness, natural disasters and many injustices. But for our hope in Christ and a life beyond this transient life; our hearts will faint. But Christ’s promises can soothe our hearts. Christ’s word is a guarantee. He will come for his own.
The world may mock our belief in the here after. In fact they did in the first century church. They mocked that where is his coming? He has gone for long. Will he come after all? Peter answers that question in 2Peter 3:1-10. Though Christ tarries in the eyes of humankind, he will come with the reward of eternal life (1Thes. 4:13–5:1, Rev. 21:4). Paul tells us if in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all people, most to be pitied (1Cor.15:19). We are pilgrims on this earth and look forward to a city whose builder is God (Heb. 11:13-16).
The Promised Holy Spirit (vv.16;26).
Knowing the void and vaccum his departure will create in the disciples life, he promised not to leave them as orphans (v.18) and that a Helper; Comforter in the authorised version will be sent. This promise of the Holy Spirit will come to teach the disciples all things. This is instructive. Though this promise is specific to the disciples in the sense of writing of Scripture; it extends to us in the sense that the Holy Spirit will illuminate for us the truth of God’s word. Such blessedness to have the Spirit of God to teach us.
The Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our salvation. He seals our salvation never to lose it. Related to the promise of the Holy Spirit is also the promise of Christ’s peace: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”(v.27). The peace Christ gives is not what the world gives. It is peace that calms our hearts in the midst of storms. It is a peace that assures us that whatever we encounter in this life, Christ will never leave us or forsake us. It is peace of reconciliation to God (Rom. 5:1)
Assurance of Answered Prayer (vv. 13-14).
Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
When we pray, God hears us. Nothing can be so assuring than this. In prayer, we have an audience with the Creator of the whole universe. In fact, he is “our Father”. Christ assures his disciples, and by extension, us, of answered prayer. However, this assurance is not simply what we desire. But it is what we desire which glorifies God: “that the Father may be glorified”. James tells us “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions” (James 4:3).
Here is the difference: Prayer God answers is prayer that glorifies him. He doesn’t grant our every wish in prayer but only that which glorifies him. And the only way to know what glorifies God is the knowing and keeping of his word: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15).
Be encouraged. When we call on God, he hears us.
Obedience To God’s Word (v.15)
If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
God’s word, as David says, is a lamp to his feet and a light to his path (Ps.119:105). This is equally true of us. Obedience to God’s word is a prove of our love for God. And no one who obeys God’s word will lack joy. God’s word will keep us from sin. God’s word will direct our conscience. God’s word will give us hope when in trouble. Our obedience to God is paramount. There is no hope for the one who doesn’t keep God’s word.
Finally,
We Are Labourers In God’s Kingdom (v.12)
Christ promises the disciples they will do greater works in his name. This greater works is more of their spreading of the gospel. Indeed, their work is what has spread Christianity to the nations. We also have a privilege and joy to be part of this great work of seeing people come to the Kingdom.
Amen.
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