John 14 - ESV Gospel Transformation Study Bible

14:1–11 Having withdrawn from the crowds of Jerusalem, Jesus pours his time and efforts into his band of apostles—whose lives and witness will be an extension of his own. In comforting his disciples, Jesus gives us an extraordinary summary of who he is and what he came from heaven to do on our behalf. Though most often read at funerals, these familiar words prepare us for life long before we face death. Present relationship, comfort, and security with Jesus is being stressed more so than our future place of residence.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. By boldly affirming these three categories, we can see how Jesus fulfills the three main offices God provided for his covenant people: prophet, priest, and king. As prophet, Jesus is the truth of the Father—he is the Word made flesh, the final word God has spoken to his people (Heb. 1:2). As priest, Jesus is the way to the Father—he is both the sacrifice for our sins and the Mediator of the new covenant (Heb. 12:24). As king, Jesus is the life from the sovereign giver of life, the eternal Father—who gives life now and in the coming age for eternity (Heb. 6:5). He is the King whom the Father has already installed in Zion (Ps. 2:6) and the ruler over the kings of the earth (Rev. 1:5).

14:12–14 The promise of “greater works” presupposes Jesus’ ongoing work in the world, as prophet, priest, and king—by which his purposes will be amplified by his multiplying believers and expanding the church. As the head of the church and the reigning King, Jesus continues his work in the world through his people indwelt by his Spirit. Our work for Jesus is really our work with Jesus. He is the One making all things new, and he does so in us and through us. He has made us to be a “kingdom, priests to his God and Father” (Rev. 1:6)

14:15 Carefully note what Jesus actually says. If we love him, we will obey him. Jesus does not say, if we obey him, he will love us. The gospel turns everything right side up. We can do nothing to earn or maintain a relationship with God. Our obedience merits us nothing; but our obedience is an essential affirmation of our love for Jesus. It is by Jesus’ obedience that we are saved, and it is by our obedience, compelled by love for Christ, that we express our gratitude for so great a salvation.

14:16–31 As Jesus continues instructing his disciples in advance of his ascension, we enter the most profound teaching about the Trinity to be found anywhere in the Bible. There is much mystery here, but let us affirm what is clearly in the text. The better we know Jesus, the more Trinitarian we will become. The gospel is the means by which we enter the fellowship, love, and joy shared by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit throughout eternity—a staggering thought indeed.

Jesus is the perfect Son whose obedience is counted as our own—the basis upon which the Father adopts us as his beloved children. The Spirit comes into our hearts as the spirit of sonship (Rom. 8:15)—freeing us from our orphan-like ways, leading us into greater intimacy with the Father and the Son. It is astonishing: we are the room in which the Trinity takes up residence (John 14:17,20), becoming the new temple among all nations.