John 14:1-14

In spite of three years of following Jesus, listening to his teaching and witnessing the miracles the disciples are still confused about what is going on, and the relationship that exists between Jesus and the Father. Maybe it’s because life has just suddenly taken a very dramatic turn with all this talk of Jesus leaving and their not being able to go with him.

V1 Jesus addresses it head on with his encouragement to trust him and the Father. A verse that we can all take hold of in difficult times. It seems hardly surprising they are confused, Jesus is talking both physically of his departure and yet also spiritually about the way to him. You can feel Thomas’ is frustration. The way is Jesus himself, and through him we come to the Father. The relationship between the Father and the Spirit is still not clear to them, as evidenced by Philip’s question. To see Jesus and to hear him is to see and hear the Father. Knowing this is hard, Jesus says ‘well if that’s too hard at least believe because of the works’. There is no such thing as a stupid question (so they say), if we don’t know or understand what God is doing, we can ask and know that he will be willing to answer us.

Then we have this extraordinary promise that those who believe can do the same if not greater works in Jesus’ name. This is because he is going and when he goes the Spirit will come. Jesus going; his death, resurrection and ascension will prepare an eternal place in God’s presence for all believers (v 2-3) and, as we will read tomorrow, usher in the arrival of the Holy Spirit.

Response: Choose a word, phrase, idea or action that strikes you as significant at this moment in your life and spend a few minutes reflecting on it.