The Gospel of John Lesson 56 (12-22-2013) John 14:12-7

The Gospel of John Lesson 56 (12-22-2013)

Lesson 56 – John 14:12-7

In vs. 12-4 Jesus makes a clear and clean offer…a promise, to whosoever desires to receive His offer. He tells them that this is an unbelievably offer telling them that they will be allowed to do some of the great works that they saw Him do. No small potatoes offer.

I wonder as He made this statement to them if their minds did not begin to bring to mind the different events that they saw Jesus do as He demonstrated the Father’s power wondering what it would be like for them to be able to do the same. I am sure that as their minds began to imagine the possibilities of Jesus’ offer that the first thoughts that came to their minds were the powerful and more dramatic acts of God that they saw Jesus do. However, as they thought of these things it might have been a good idea to remind them that what they were offered was God’s works to do which was more about purpose and substance than drama and show.

Taking Jesus’ offer seriously one could ask what exactly was Jesus offering them?? Over this is great debate. However, it appears very straightforward and clear as to who will do these works…those that believe, and, what they are offered to do! It appears from His statement in v. 12 that His comment here is all inclusive including all that believe.

All too often vs. 12-4 of John chapter 14 are pulled out and used as if they were stand alone verses. It is difficult to receive and apply the fullness of what Jesus actually meant here especially when taking this section of scripture in its context.

We are indeed often found to be people of extremes. On the one side we could view these verses as ‘a free pass’ to be used on a whim whenever and however we choose… in our way, at our discretion, much like a wish granted by rubbing a genie bottle. On the other hand some would strap this promise down with so many restrictions and rules of acting on them that it becomes practically unusable making it of little to no value at all in our realm of real life application.

Some of the stipulations that are put in the instruction manual on how to effectively apply these verses, or as some would say if they are even to be used in our day at all, were not meant or even implied by Jesus when He was giving this promise to His followers. I don’t mean to be too critical, but some seemingly have the view that if you don’t hold your tongue just right Jesus will not honor His promise found here.

So often we are so quick to just tack on “in Jesus Name” at the end of our request expecting somehow to magically force God to tilt in our direction and answer our request no matter what our request may be, even if we desire an outcome that God would not be fully pleased with.

However in looking at these verses and their application we must remember that Jesus is our example of how these verses are applied. When looking at His example, looking at His life and how He made requests to the Father, we find Him applying them in a practical way. We really do not find Him tacking on ‘in the Father’s Name’ at the end of all of His prayer requests, nor do we see Him making foolish or selfish requests. His requests were always according to what the Father would want. We do, however, find Him asking some interesting and amazing requests.

When He makes His requests to the Father He made them in His, the Father’s, Name or in other words acting on the Father’s behalf as if the Father Himself were present acting on His own behalf. This is what Jesus offers us. He offers us the ability to act on God’s behalf, with all the power and authority that goes with Him or His Name. Jesus did not offer us an open door to allow our self centered life to become a reality. His offer was to act in His Name…asking the Father…seeing the Father grant our requests so that the Father continues to be Glorified in the Son. The Father receives no glory from the fleshly part of our life. He is only honored by those acts done by the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ Name.

In these verses, vs. 12-4, is the power to establish the coming Church eventually bringing forth the fullness of His Kingdom, and the promise given here is still, even in our day, the power to work the works of God on His behalf. This offer was meant to be extremely practical and useful for God’s work and for our life as His children and was not meant to be utilized on the only rare occasion. The way I read this promise is that it was meant to be applied to our daily life including all parts of it, little and big. Any request concerning the daily function and the establishment of His Kingdom is offered here big or small.

In v. 12 Jesus says something meant to get their attention. What He says here was not meant for the few, but was meant for the many for in the first part of v. 12 He makes the statement “whoever…” meaning all who are willing and believe in Jesus, taking Jesus at His Word.

What He offers to them is the opportunity to work the works of God. It is good to notice that He does not offer them the opportunity to work the works of man or man’s will with the power of God behind them. To do so would create a comic book superhero found having more power than mortal man performing his selfish desires causing more destruction than he already does.

However, these are works of God, accompanied by God’s power to make them happen. They are offered to man to perform as God’s ambassador or representative carrying His full authority. All works of God are available and permissible here in this offer. All the works of God are on the table...great or so called small. God is willing and able to perform any work of God through man that He, God, chooses or ordains. God is able, and, I might add, willing to make it so.

However, it is important to notice what Jesus offers. In v. 12 He offers them the works that He did or does, and the greater works that He offers them are works that He would have continued to do if He remained. I believe that these are the continued, even greater, works necessary to bring about and fully establish His Kingdom.

This is an interesting thing to ponder and consider. For Jesus to do the works of God was easy or natural. Later in this chapter, v. 29, He will tell His disciples that the prince of this world has no part of Him, Jesus always able to do the Father’s will. But, for man to do the works of God as Jesus, man being imperfect, well that is something to be discussed and pondered. Yet, that is what He offered. There is no way to connect the two. Man doing God’s works together outside of Christ? A miracle must take place.

In vs. 15-7 Jesus announces that miracle to them. Later in the book of Galatians, chapter 5, the Apostle Paul will give us further instructions to be applied to the promise found in these verses. In sending the Spirit of Truth or the Holy Spirit as our helper we would receive guidance and assistance helping us to do the works of God better on the execution side and cleaning up even our imperfect works once done making them indeed the very works of God. What an offer.

As Jesus performed the works of God He not only performed the actions and tasks that were given to Him, but He was found to do them in the letter and spirit of the Law also. He was found to execute the Father’s request in the right spirit, at just the right time, in the right context, exactly as the Father wanted it done as if the Father Himself were doing it. This offer or arrangement was good and appropriate for Jesus being the Son of God, but what about us? Somehow Jesus saw his offer in v. 12 still as a viable and realistic offer to us. He would ask the Church to be a real part of the establishment of His Kingdom doing His work. But, it was obvious that we would indeed need some help. God’s Holy Spirit was the answer.

In this and the next couple of chapters Jesus will explain how this is possible. In reading vs. 12-4 in context it is obvious from Jesus’ conversation which includes the next couple of chapters that to apply His offer properly as intended that He needed to give them a framework to do so. It is good again to remember that although it may seem unfair to some to include chapters 15 and 16 in a discussion as applying to this promise, that this extended section of Scripture does appear to be one continuous conversation with His disciples beginning in the end of chapter 13 in the Upper Room and continuing as they change locations talking to them as they go to or toward Gethsemane.

We see as Jesus continues His conversation with them following this promise that the first thing that He tells them is to remind them that this is not a superficial offer. What He offered them was a relationship, and, it comes with some commitment or as some would say with some skin in the game.

At this point in for some reason I personally am not convinced that they are fully committed to what Jesus is offering or doing yet. Yes it is true that these guys have stayed with Him the longest and were indeed close to Him. Peter summed up their level of commitment to the Savior when all had left Him but them, Jesus asking them if they were going to leave Him also. Their response was, “to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Jn. 6:68

Yes, they were committed to Him, but were still pretty much on the receiving end and they would remain there until after the coming of the Spirit of Truth or the Holy Spirit which He tells them about in vs. 16-7. However, in v. 15 He wanted them to be sure that they understood what real love and commitment was. Here in v. 15 Jesus makes a statement that is really a question to them. It was meant for and to them to answer themselves, telling them that the proof of genuine love for Him is not what you say, but that you take serious His commandments and His way of living, applying His beliefs to their life. He would ask the same question or requirement of any of those who would follow Him.

Now Jesus is getting real with them here. He wasn’t being critical or judgmental with them. This was a call to them for a deeper commitment in essence telling them that the easy stuff is over. Jesus was moving into a real world set before Him and even though He knew that they would come, they would personally have to make that decision and commitment. Jesus knew that they were in. But, were they aware of it? Had they recognized the practical application of their commitment and relationship? Love for the Savior means commitment to Him and His ways. However, with deeper commitment also came greater benefits as we will see as His dialog with them continues.

One of these benefits, the Greatest, was the promise found in v. 16 of the coming Comforter that would abide with them forever! Wow, what a promise! The next few verses are rich in promise and substance. He tells them that He will pray with the same authority He just promised to them knowing that the Father would answer Him asking the Father to send this Comforter to them on His behalf. Jesus knew that He, the Father, would do it for He knew that the Father always heard His requests and answered them, and, that this Comforter would abide in His absence with them forever!

He goes on in v. 17 telling them that this Comforter that He will send to them is the one and only Spirit of Truth in essence telling them that He can be trusted above all other sources. He further tells them that this is a Source that is only for them, His followers. Those who do not receive His words do not and cannot access this Source. He makes it clear that the world which is foreign to His Kingdom cannot receive the Spirit’s wisdom and cannot hear it for if it did they too would hear and receive it and also be His followers. The world cannot receive His guidance, nor do they want too. This was reserved just for His followers.

Jesus ends v. 17 with a couple more significant promises. He goes on to tell them that when this Spirit of truth comes that they will come to know Him and His presence and that that Spirit that was once guiding and protecting them once being external to them would soon find His home in them dwelling in them. The Spirit would not just be guiding them from the outside, but then would be prompting them directly in their heart as explained by Paul in Romans chapter 8:1-11.

The Gospel of John Lesson 55 (12-08-2013) John 14:7-12

The Gospel of John Lesson 55 (12-08-2013)

Lesson 55 – John 14:7-12

In our last lesson we saw Jesus preparing His disciples for His departure and for the task that was ahead of them. We remember that their reaction to His statement that He was going away was one of bewilderment and fear of their being left alone without Him, probably having the feeling of abandonment. Peter had voiced their true desire wondering why they could not just go with Him. But, Jesus had other plans for them, important plans that they had not yet understood.

They had been enjoying the ride so to speak, the excitement of the moment with Jesus present, and, from Jesus’ statement they thought that their ride was about to end. They did not realize that Jesus still had plans for them…big plans.

It is important to mention at this point that the next few chapters actually consist of less than 24 hours and that Jesus does most of the talking. He addresses them on many levels building a framework on how they should see and relate to Him, God the Father and to each other. In essence He lays down the framework of the Church.

Some of His instruction is more on a personal level, one to one or small group orientated, such as John 15 where He talks about abiding in the vine and a little later in that chapter He calls them friends letting them know that they are not just servants, that their relationship is with Him and each other is personal.

However, also, if we were to step back and take a so called aerial view, His overarching theme is one of His being One with the Father and at the same time one with His Church, the Church being also one with the Father as it is with Him, Jn. 17:21.

As we study the next few chapters it is helpful to construct our understanding in the parameters of the relatively short time frame that Jesus’ words were given and in the parameters of the overarching theme of unity or oneness with Jesus and the Father. The purpose of having a personal relationship with Jesus is to be a part of the big picture being one with Jesus, the Father and the Church and the purpose of being a part of the big picture is to have a personal relationship with Jesus and the Father. They are mutually inclusive. You cannot have one without the other. The Church was meant for fellowship… As we continue this study, especially over the next few chapters, be sure to think on these things letting God’s Spirit speak to us concerning these things.

We saw that the first thing that Jesus did to reassure and strengthen their faith after they found out that He was leaving was to reassure them that He was not leaving them for good and that He was committed to them for the long haul. We saw in our last study that He assured them that they did indeed belong…belong to Him. So much so that He tells them that part of His leaving is that He is leaving to prepare a permanent home for them.

However, the second thing that Jesus does in preparing them for His departure and the task ahead of them is that He connects them to their power source. Peter, at the end of chapter 13, was still trusting in himself to establish the Kingdom. (This is a good question for us. Are we trusting in our strength or God’s strength to establish the Kingdom?)

They basically had operated on the principle ‘if it is going to be it is up to me’. This would not work for what was ahead of them. It was going to take more than any ability or power or force found on earth or in man to overcome the power of sin and death found on earth. Only God could do this. And, only God and His Power could establish His Kingdom using His Church in the process. Without God’s power working in them the task ahead of them would not be possible. They would need to see their source of strength clearly, being able to resort to it and rely on it if they were going to be able to perform and establish God’s plan for them. Human effort would not be enough.

It is clear from their reply in v. 8 that as yet they did not see the full picture. In v. 7 Jesus begins to sharpen their focus of reality. He in essence tells them to look again…to take a closer look, that they were not paying close enough attention.

They were living too fast, riding high on the wave of excitement. They did not slow down and pay attention and get to know the real Jesus. He actually tells them at the beginning of v. 7 that if they had really known Him that they would have not only seen the Family resemblance between Him and the Father, but they would have literally seen and known the Father Himself.

Most of their relationship at this point was centered on their benefits in this relationship. Life was good with Jesus and even though they did have a relationship with Him it was one mostly centered on the benefits of being with Him. As yet they had not understood fully what Mary had seen and understood when she found herself at His feet unashamedly worshiping Him as she would God the Father.

Mary saw no difference between Jesus and the Father. As a matter of fact, she saw Them in reality and perception as One in the same. It was evident that His disciples were not there in practice as yet. If they had been watching they could have learned something from Mary. What Mary did went right over their head.

However, now it was time for them to get it. We in reality cannot fault them too much. They did recognize and acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah who was the chosen One of Israel, the coming Savior of the world. But, for some reason they still for the most part saw Jesus and the Father as separate entities. They saw Jesus as great and coming from God and as the Messiah, but somehow still they did not quite see the Father.

This is not totally unusual. It is easy for us to do this too. To see the God of the universe and the power of all of creation seemingly squeezed into one man is difficult for anybody to see and acknowledge, even if it appeared to be so. Even we as His followers have the same trouble.

However, most of the world, like the Pharisees, were way behind them at this point. They saw Jesus as special, but refused to accept what they were seeing concerning Him being God. His disciples had missed what Jesus was saying all along, that one must choose to believe what they saw to come to where Mary found herself, seeing clearly that there was no difference between Jesus and the Father.

Vs. 9-11 is a wake up statement for Phillip and the other disciples. Many of our failures or shortcomings as followers and members of the Church are found here. Much of the time we are found wanting to use Jesus, or our perception of Him, for our benefit when in reality our real benefit and power comes from seeing Jesus for who He really is and aligning ourselves with that truth.

He was telling them that there was Power in this knowledge that Jesus is indeed as much God as the Father, seeing and acting upon them as One. They would need to draw and depend on this power when He left and they were left with the task of establishing the Church.

When we see the Supernatural we tend to want to put it in a box instead of receiving it and letting it overcome us prompting us to actions that are not normally our own. These are actions that are not contrived by us, but are truly acts initiated and performed by God. Mary was a good example of this. Her sincere act of worship was God generated. She allowed God to overcome her moving her to act in sincere worship. Her faith in Jesus as God including the fullness of the Father was what prompted her act of worship.

Peter voices somewhat the disciple’s perspective at this point found  in Matthew chapter 17 when he wanted to put the supernatural into 3 boxes or booths to somehow manage what he experienced better. Jesus was telling them that if they would/could see Him for who He really was, One and the Same as the Father, then they would let God overcome them and they would ask the things of God, v. 12, that they may be done. When we truly see the reality of Jesus and the Father being One we are then offered the opportunity to abandon our self and to join with them being one with them also.

The power found in the answers to prayers is found in doing the works of the Father performed and prompted by Him as exemplified and demonstrated by Jesus. It was imperative that they see and recognize the fullness and completeness of the Father in Him being able to act in full faith on Jesus’ teachings and instructions as from God the Father Himself. The potential of God’s power being performed on their request depended on it.

The Gospel of John Lesson 54 (11-23-2013) John 14:1-6

The Gospel of John Lesson 54 (11-23-2013)

Lesson 54 – John 14:1-6

Chapter 14

In chapter 14 Jesus turns from His personal but not private conversation with Peter and continues to inform them about His departure. Even though Jesus is leaving temporally, He will not leave them without words of comfort, nor would He leave them without instruction. (What words of comfort and instruction has He left us/you with till His return?) In the next few chapters we will see Him prepare them for His departure and the task ahead of them with not only words of comfort, but also with promises and words of hope.

It is good to remember that at this point Jesus is less than 24 hours from the Cross. In the next few chapters of John’s Gospel we will see that He will cover an unbelievable amount of detail and information with His disciples in such a short time. It reminds me of a weekend seminar in which at the beginning of the weekend you are only aware of the basics related to the area of study, but at the end of the weekend you somehow now become an expert on the topic. Information overload! They will have to work out these details over time. Jesus knew that they would not understand all these important topics that He would share with them at this time, but He also knew that they would get it later, completing the course, truly becoming an expert with the ongoing help of the soon coming Holy Spirit.

The first thing He tells them is to not let their hearts be troubled and that He indeed can be trusted. He did not lead them here with false intentions to just abandon them now. He tells them that He is worthy of their trust. They can trust Him as they would put their trust in God. Good advice, even in our day.

Fear, worry and concern dominate this life. These emotions would be the obvious first response from them when Jesus told them that He was going to leave. Their response like ours would be, “Oh, no, what are we going to do now!” Jesus knew that ‘fear’ can in some cases motivate, but He also knew that more times than not fear can also cripple and defeat us. A large part of Jesus’ ministry and ministering to us is to help us see things clearly and to have courage to act and move forward and not be afraid reminding us that He is leading the charge.

We remember the disciple’s earlier response to Jesus’ majesty was one of fear of Him. At that time He told them and helped them to not be afraid of Him as they saw Him perform the mighty works of God. Now, He would tell them to not be afraid of the real dangers that are found in this world which would lie before them while He was gone. In their eyes they would have to face these dangers seemingly without Him. It’s a scary world out there. But, would they be facing it alone? Even though He was leaving, would they be facing the whole world without Him? Alone? On their own? Jesus will show them that there is more to this life than literally meets the eye. And, He will not just give them an empty pep talk to temporarily pump them up, but will share with them realities that they did not know even existed.

The first thing that He does is that He tells them that they have a place and that they still belong to Him even though He is leaving for a season. Down deep inside this is the longing in our heart, first that we have a purpose for our life, but also that we have the knowledge that we belong. You can do a lot with that!

He says to them in v. 2, “In my Father’s house are many mansions (or rooms or dwelling places).” However, in the next part of the verse He tells them something that can be translated in at least two different ways, and, we see different translations do just that. We see the NIV translate the next part of this verse, “if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?” and the NASB translate the same passage as “if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.”

In essence the outcome and practical application of what Jesus was saying to both His disciples and to us in meaning is essentially the same. However, one translation would indicate that He was sharing this truth with them at the moment, essentially saying that they should have assumed this, while the other translation indicates that He had previously told them about this, having discussed this promise with them at an earlier time.

Having shared His leaving with them previously makes sense since He had discussed and talked about His leaving much earlier in John’s Gospel in Jn. 7:33-6 and 8:21 their being present at the time. It is likely and actually probable that at least some of the disciples would have picked up on His comments at the time and would have asked Him more questions about what He had said. If so, Jesus’ comments here would have been a reminder about what He had discussed with them earlier, letting them know plainly that now was the time that He had been referring too.

He tells them, “If it were not so I would have told you.” Wow! In one short sentence, in just a few words, He gives them not only hope and purpose, but He also gives them a destination that is definite and sure to shoot for. He tells them, “I am going someplace, and you may not be going there now, but you will be joining me there later!” He tells them in essence “You belong to Me!” This is what they wanted and needed to hear.

Prior to this when Jesus had shared that He was leaving they were thinking abandonment, possibly wondering if they would ever see Him again. Now they were assured that this was not true. He made it very clear that He was committed and connected to them even though He was leaving for a season. Very soon they would need to know this as the events of the next few days will challenge their faith in all that He had told and taught them. In this John 13:1 is made clear…He loved them to the end. As yet they did not know the mechanics and the details of how their future would actually play out, but their hearts were very comforted in this statement by Jesus knowing that He was not abandoning them.

In v. 1 He had reminded them that they should believe and trust in God during this time. Jesus knew the sadness that was in their heart because of His leaving, but He also knew the difficulties that lie ahead of them. He also told them that they should put that same trust and assurance in Him, and, that they should not doubt, resting fully in what He was telling them. They were assured of the ultimate outcome. They were assured of a home with Him. In this we see that Jesus did indeed love them, and us for that matter, to the very end. He had promised. It was belonging to Him that comforted them. This also is our comfort.

At the end of v. 2 and into v. 3 He shares with them some of the details of what He will be doing while He will be away. He was going to prepare a place for them. These details are brief, but are more than enough for them at this time. When hearing this, in their mind, I am sure that they were not thinking 2000 plus years. It would seem to me that their perception would have been more short term, days, weeks, months or even a year or two in an extreme case. It was not uncommon for a master to leave for a season to conduct business or to visit someone like a relative or dignitary. In their mind I am sure that they were thinking more short term.

We remember at the end of chapter 13 that Peter had the impression that he would travel with Jesus to where He was going. It is sure that their perception of Jesus leaving did not include ‘death’, and, surely did not include death on a cross. In less than 24 hours, what He tells them here will definitely add to their confusion concerning what to make of what He was saying to them. But, for now, He assures them with these few words of the promise of His return and their eventually being reunited with Him.

However, in v. 4 He says something that is confusing to them. He tells them that unlike the religious rulers found in chapter 7 and 8 of John who did not know the destination and the way to where Jesus was going that they supposedly knew where He was going and the way to get there. We remember that Jesus had said to the religious rulers that they did not know where He was going and that they did not know the way. What Jesus said here in John 14:4 was meant to reassure them that His relationship with them because of their belief in Him was different. But, apparently it had confused them instead. Had they been listening? Had they been paying attention? (Had Jesus also told us the Way? Why then is there so much confusion?)

In v. 5 Thomas asks Jesus to make the way clear to them. Thomas clearly and openly tells Jesus that he does not understand and that he and the others are confused as to the destination where they will meet up with Him and join Him. Do we say the same today in our day?

 Jesus’ reply to them in v. 6 is that it is as plain as the nose on your face, saying that He Himself is the Door to Heaven. Thomas and the others were still thinking earthly thinking that to rejoin with Jesus in His Kingdom they would have to physically travel to where He was. They did not realize that they were already there… at the Door, and, that the Door to their home with Him was right before them. Had they not been listening? They lacked what Mary had learned, ‘a little less me and a lot more You’. They lacked the spiritual part of the equation. They were still thinking time and space. They did not know and realize that time and space stood before them. But, there is more to the equation that Mary paying attention understood and they as yet did not see as yet. In our next lesson we will see Jesus give them the rest of the equation helping them to come up with the right answer that they will need to apply to the difficult days ahead.