John 14:1-14
Part of this passage offers hope at Christian funerals, especially the part about many prepared dwelling places for us after we die. Yet, I’ve got questions to ponder, pick one or more as you devote this time with God. Look for truth, insight, a goose bump feeling, or whatever that drives you closer to God.
(John 14:1-7 NRSV) ““Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe [can be translated as “You believe”] in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you [or can be translated as “I would have told you…”] that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.” [Other ancient texts read, “Where I am going you know, and the Way you know.”] Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. [Can be translated as, “I am the Way which is the truth and the life.”] No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know [can be translated as “If you had known me you would have known.”] my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Here’s some questions that are raised for me:
- When Jesus’s own disciple, Thomas, who is told he didn’t really know Jesus after living and doing ministry with Jesus for three years—ouch! How does this passage change your understanding of what it means to know Jesus?
- Jesus grew up in the Jewish way studying the Torah (First 5 books of the OT). Torah means God’s instruction for doing life. John’s Jesus re-energizes this Way of God (Torah) to include truth and a way of being and acting that causes abundant life for all. Knowing this, why do you do what you do? What way of God do you consider before the day begins?
The next section of the passage has Philip asking Jesus to prove God or at least to prove that Jesus knows God. What if Jesus is duping everyone like so many other messiahs and Philip is following the wrong guy?
(John 14:8-14 NRSV) Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 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, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, but if you do not, then believe [me] because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me [other texts lack “me”] for anything, I will do it.”
- John’s Jesus focuses on his trust-filled caring relationship with God that demonstrates God’s presence. The implication is God cannot be shown as a thing that either exists or doesn’t exist.
- John’s Jesus seems to say the consequences of a healthy relationship with God produce caring deeds and that’s all the proof anyone needs.
- John’s Jesus says his disciples will do more amazing things than himself. What does that look like?
- Have you asked in Jesus’s name for something and received exactly what you’ve asked for? Obviously uttering the name of Jesus like a password isn’t meant here; otherwise, everyone would have won the lottery by now. Instead, the meaning of asking “in my name,” is more like asking in a certain kind of spirit, a reputation, or being, or a way. How, what, and why do you ask of God?
Prayer
Here’s a prayer if you don’t already have thought of one: “Lord God, the one who gives life and asks us to be truthful in all things, fill us with your new Way of Truth and Life, your Holy Spirit, so that we will produce goodness in the lives of others. Keep us from talking bad about anyone including myself so that we may encourage all into better behavior and a joyful spirit. Amen."
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