In The Word
Read: John 13:33 – 14:14
33 Little children, I am with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
36 Simon Peter *said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered, “Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; but you will follow later.” 37 Peter *said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You right now? I will lay down my life for You.”38 Jesus *answered, “Will you lay down your life for Me? Truly, truly, I say to you, a rooster will not crow until you deny Me three times.
Jesus Comforts His Disciples
14 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And you know the way where I am going.” 5 Thomas *said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” 6 Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
Oneness with the Father
7 If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.”
8 Philip *said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus *said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves. 12 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
In today’s reading, we see Jesus speaking boldly about the Kingdom of God, and we see His followers missing the point entirely. Christ made promises that should have blown the disciples’ minds and enlightened their spirits. He promised them the ability to love people like God does. He assured them of eternal peace and relationship with Himself. He prophesied power, miracles, and instant access to the treasures of heaven. In short, Jesus lavished heaven’s best on His friends.
When told about the possibility of having and expressing the divine love of the Almighty, Peter focused on why he was not included in the next season of Jesus’ ministry. As Jesus laid out the bounty and provision of Heaven, Thomas was preoccupied with asking for directions. As Christ claimed His rightful role as the sole avenue to God, Philip asked if they could receive a miraculous vision of the Father so they could stop doubting Jesus at His Word. No matter how much Jesus focused on the divine and Heaven, they only saw natural logistics. They wanted to know how, why, and where their involvement in ministry was going to take them, instead of focusing on “Who” was taking them there.
Amazingly enough, God still offers us the same powers, promises, and privileges that the disciples were offered. However, we will need to respond better than the disciples did. We must allow the Holy Spirit to help us ask the right questions, teach us to leave the logistics of this world in God’s hands, and focus on the abounding, supernatural realities of His power and love.