April 20, 2020
A Big, Big House . . . with Lots and Lots of Rooms
John 14:1-14
Kendall Ellison
Central Truth
This world is not our home. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are redeemed and get to spend eternity in the presence of our God and King!
Key Verse | John 14:2-4
"In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I 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, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going."
John 14:1-14
I Am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life
1 Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; 1 14:1 Or You believe in God believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 2 14:2 Or In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 3 14:4 Some manuscripts Where I am going you know, and the way you know 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can 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 except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. 4 14:7 Or If you know me, you will know my Father also, or If you have known me, you will know my Father also From now on you do 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 with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever 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 authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.
12 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me 5 14:14 Some manuscripts omit me anything in my name, I will do it.
Footnotes
[1] 14:1 Or You believe in God[2] 14:2 Or In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you
[3] 14:4 Some manuscripts Where I am going you know, and the way you know
[4] 14:7 Or If you know me, you will know my Father also, or If you have known me, you will know my Father also
[5] 14:14 Some manuscripts omit me
Dive Deeper | John 14:1-14
I am a homebody through and through. I love nothing more than to be safe in the comfort of my own house with my favorite people! Home is where I feel secure and where I find rest. It is a place of belonging and acceptance. But as much as I love my home here on earth, I am grateful for the reminder in these verses that this earth pales in comparison with the eternal home waiting for us!
In these verses, Jesus' disciples wrestle with the reality that Jesus will no longer physically be with them here on this earth. Despite His imminent fate, Jesus spends His final hours comforting His disciples, displaying His great care for them (John 14:1). He urges them to trust Him (John 14:1) and assures them that they know the way to where He is going: through Himself. "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)
In faith, Jesus proclaims to be "the way," knowing that in moments He will face a brutal death on the cross. In faith, He proclaims to be "the truth," knowing that the lies of scoffers are going to nail Him to the tree. In faith, He proclaims to be "the life," knowing that He will have to die and rise again for our redemption. It is only because of Jesus' finished work on the cross that we can have access to God our Father (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Jesus' coming back for us is as certain as His departure. Someday, Jesus will return to collect His bride, and "we will always be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:17b). Now that is a hope we can cling to! Jesus has gone before us to prepare rooms for us in heaven, where we will get to spend forever with Him. Until that day, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to do great works (John 14:12), sharing our hope with others (1 Peter 2:9), and inviting them to spend eternity with us in the presence of our King!
Discussion Questions
1. How can you live today in light of eternity after being reminded that this earth is not your home?
2. In John 14:13, Jesus promises to do whatever we ask in His name (i.e., praying requests that are consistent with His will and character). Are you praying big and bold prayers? If not, what is holding you back?
3. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). Who are you going to share this hope with today?