John: Way, Truth & Life

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The Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:1-31)

Chapter 14 forms part of Jesus' farewell discourse to his disciples, after they had celebrated the Passover meal together. The Passover was an annual Jewish festival which originated from the Exodus, when God brought the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt at around 1400 BC (Exodus 12:1-14,46). The Passover account has many parallels with Jesus' death on the cross for us and the Passover meal was the last meal that Jesus ate with his disciples. He is our Passover Lamb (I Corinthians 5:6-8; I Peter 1:17-21), who would die in our place.

In Chapter 13, Jesus washed his disciples' feet to show that true greatness was perfectly consistent with true humility (Philippians 2:5-11). Jesus then predicted Judas' betrayal and also Peter's denial. In Chapter 14, he starts by answering Peter's question in 13:36: “Lord, where are you going?” and comforts eleven disciples who are bewildered and confused as their leader tells them that he is leaving them very soon.

Questions to consider:

1) What has Jesus just said in Chapter 13 that is making his disciples anxious and troubled (v1)? How does Jesus comfort them in vs1-4?

2) Although they had been with Jesus for over three years, did Thomas and Philip have a good understanding of who Jesus really is (vs5-14)?

3) Can you put Jesus' statement in vs6-7 in your own words? Are there many different ways to God?

4) What do vs6-14 tell us about the nature of Jesus' relationship with the Father?

5) What does the title Counsellor (v16) tell us about the Holy Spirit? How does the Spirit bring comfort and help to our lives (vs15-27)?

6) How does our love and obedience to Jesus relate to his love and presence in our lives (vs15-24)? Is this the same as trying to earn Jesus' love through doing good works?

7) How is the peace Jesus gives different from the peace that the world gives (vs25-31)?

Notes:

v1-4 The focus here is on the adequacy of heaven to accommodate all who trust in Jesus. Jesus' claim is an exclusive and unique claim: He is the only one who can bring people to God. He himself is the way.

v8-14 Philip wanted a special dramatic revelation of God (as in Old Testament times), but Jesus told him that if they have seen him, they have already seen God. Jesus came to show us what God is like - a loving, forgiving God who actively seeks people to love him. The “greater things” that Jesus says we can do refer to the multitudes of people whose lives will be changed through the telling of the Good News of Jesus by Christians throughout history.

v15-27 The Greek word translated Counsellor here means to “call alongside, encourage and strength”, i.e., a helper, advocate and comforter. Jesus promises that the Spirit will live with us and be in us. He will teach us as we study God's word. In v28, Jesus is simply affirming that previously he enjoyed the same glory as his Father and that he will be returning to this same glory. It does not mean that Jesus is inferior to the Father.

1)	What has Jesus just said in Chapter 13 that is making his disciples anxious and troubled (v1)? How does Jesus comfort them in vs1-4?
2)	Although they had been with Jesus for over three years, did Thomas and Philip have a good understanding of who Jesus really is (vs5-14)?
3)	Can you put Jesus' statement in vs6-7 in your own words? Are there many different ways to God?
4)	What do vs6-14 tell us about the nature of Jesus' relationship with the Father?
5)	What does the title Counsellor (v16) tell us about the Holy Spirit? How does the Spirit bring comfort and help to our lives (vs15-27)?
6)	How does our love and obedience to Jesus relate to his love and presence in our lives (vs15-24)? Is this the same as trying to earn Jesus' love through doing good works?
7)	How is the peace Jesus gives different from the peace that the world gives (vs25-31)?

v1-4	The focus here is on the adequacy of heaven to accommodate all who trust in Jesus. Jesus' claim is an exclusive and unique claim: He is the only one who can bring people to God. He himself is the way.
v8-14	Philip wanted a special dramatic revelation of God (as in Old Testament times), but Jesus told him that if they have seen him, they have already seen God. Jesus came to show us what God is like - a loving, forgiving God who actively seeks people to love him. The “greater things” that Jesus says we can do refer to the multitudes of people whose lives will be changed through the telling of the Good News of Jesus by Christians throughout history.
v15-27	The Greek word translated Counsellor here means to “call alongside, encourage and strength”, i.e., a helper, advocate and comforter. Jesus promises that the Spirit will live with us and be in us. He will teach us as we study God's word. In v28, Jesus is simply affirming that previously he enjoyed the same glory as his Father and that he will be returning to this same glory. It does not mean that Jesus is inferior to the Father.