John 14 - The Swindoll Study Bible

PREPARATION John 14:3 During the interval of time between our Lord’s departure from the earth and His return, He is involved in two projects. One: to prepare a place for His children. Two: to prepare His children for a place. He is engaged right now in preparing heaven for His own. That’s what’s happening away from our sight. But on this earth, He is also engaged in preparing us for the life we will live in eternity with Him.

GREATER WORKS John 14:12 Look at what this says! “I’ve done great things,” Jesus reminds His disciples. “We have done them together. You have seen them done. But I say to you who are being left that when I leave, you’re going to do even greater works than these.” Have you ever pondered that statement personally, ever allowed it to say what it is really saying? “Even greater works.” How? Because those who believe in Jesus will have the Holy Spirit and will be taking the Good News to the entire world. That’s what you and I are called to do.

PASSING THE BATON John 14:15-17 If you have ever run a relay race, you know that the most critical part of the relay occurs during the passing of the baton. So many things can happen at that critical moment if the runners are not in perfect sync—the baton can be dropped or mishandled, and that can slow down the team and ultimately make them lose the race.

Jesus is passing the baton. Jesus is handing His men over to another Helper, the Holy Spirit. They have known of their Lord. He has been alongside them and with them, but He has not been in them. But now, through the Holy Spirit, Jesus will never leave His followers because He will be inside them.