Lessons from John 14: Await His Return

Aug 9

Jesus encourages trust as His followers await His return.

Where does Jesus want you to choose to trust Him and His promises rather than worry and fret about something you cannot control? Or do you, like the disciples, not yet fully understand?

Jesus promises, He gives His Word and stakes His life on it, that one day He will wipe every tear from your eyes. Now that should bring comfort to your heart and mind no matter what difficulty or circumstance you find yourself facing.

Jesus’ return will usher in a new heaven and a new earth. And though our finite minds cannot comprehend the wonder of the place that has been prepared for those who love Him, it still will happen.

Let me ask you, who needs to be warned or encouraged with this truth?

Even now Jesus is making all things new.

As we continue to follow the text, we put our finger on John 14:5 where Thomas sincerely and ignorantly said to Jesus, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

And Jesus declared to Thomas and those listening, “I am the way” (meaning Jesus is the only access to God and a life in God’s will).

Jesus is the truth (meaning He is the ultimate truth and Jesus fulfills Scripture and reveals the Father perfectly). And Jesus is the life (meaning the source and sustainer of eternal life and to know Him is to have life. Abundant and eternal life).

Jesus said, “No one comes to the Father except through me.” Meaning that all roads do not lead to the same place, as some would like you to believe.

Just as all telephone numbers do not reach the right person, so all ways cannot lead to God.

Acts 4:12 tells us that Jesus is the only way to God. I Timothy 2:5 tells us that there is only one mediator between God and man and that is the person of Jesus Christ.

Jesus said to Thomas, “If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

Apparently Thomas was confused because he hadn’t fully responded to Jesus’ teaching about the cross. Jesus was fully God and equal in every way. He had descended from heaven and was about to return to His home in heaven with His Father after going to the cross.

Failure to respond to knowledge God gives us always limits new spiritual understanding.

What spiritual truth or knowledge of God are you refusing to believe or accept?

Don’t limit your relationship with God or your understanding of His precious word by closing your eyes to something He is leading you to see! Accept His truth and respond by walking in obedience! There is no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey!

Well, it appears that not only did Thomas fail to understand what Jesus was saying, but Philip challenged Jesus in verse 8 by asking, “Lord show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”

Philip was probably referring to the Transfiguration of Jesus that the others had experienced or like those who in the OT had had a personal encounter with God. Such as Moses at the burning bush or the pillar of cloud that protected and led the Israelites.

Philip wanted more!

But Jesus, probably weary and yet knowing His time was short, must have looked at Philip square in the eye with a humble plea. He said Philip, don’t you know me by now? For three years Philip and the others had heard the words of Jesus and witnessed His miracles and sinless life. The disciples had all participated in the feeding of the five thousand. They had been witnesses of Jesus walking on the water. And they had seen miracle after miracle. Philip and the others should have known by now who Jesus was.

And yet Jesus lovingly reminded Philip of who He was. Jesus said, “Philip how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and that the Father is in me?”

Basically, Jesus said to Philip, to see me is to see my Father! It is His work that I am fulfilling! I’m not doing this on my own! I am working in unison according to my Father’s will.

And then Jesus said in verse 12 if you truly believe that I and the Father are one, you too will follow my example and continue the work my Father has been doing not only in me but also in you when I am gone.

Jesus went on to say in the second part of verse 12, “greater things” will those do who love me and my Father after I am gone.

Jesus was saying if you think this is great, just wait and see what my Father will do in and through you if you follow and obey. These men God used to evangelize the world. On these men and the foundation of their faith ,God would build His church. It’s been the same ever since.

If you want to know God, fix your eyes on Jesus.

Who do you say Jesus is?
Where is it that you need help to believe in the evidence He has already given?
Who is God asking you to share this good news with?
Are you carrying out the great commission?
Are you taking God at His word and spreading His gospel truths?

Jesus says the way to do this is to believe and then pray! Pray in the mighty and powerful name of Jesus! The name above all names!

Time is short; may we all go about our Father’s business.

Terri Hamman