Comfort for Troubled Hearts (John 14:1-14)
“Parting is such sweet sorrow.” So says Juliet to Romeo before they go their separate ways in Shakespeare’s famous play. Goodbyes are bittersweet: The sadness of separation is mingled with the happy anticipation of a future reunion. Many of us have known the loss and longing of goodbyes. It may be saying goodbye to grown-up children when they leave home for National Service, school, or marriage. It may be saying goodbye to schoolmates when we graduate. It may be saying goodbye to family and friends when we move away. It may be saying goodbye to a loved one who is at death’s door. Goodbyes are especially hard when we are anxious and uncertain about the future. How does life carry on without a loved one? Will we ever see each other again?
The Bible has many examples of goodbyes: the dying Jacob saying farewell to his 12 sons, Israel mourning for Moses, Jonathan parting ways with his best friend David, who is forced to flee for his life, Paul and the elders of the Ephesian church, who are sorrowful because they do not expect to see the apostle again. And here, in our passage: Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure. It is a difficult goodbye, for Jesus speaks of betrayal, denial, and death. Judas has gone out into the darkness of night. Peter, the self-confident leader of the disciples, will deny Jesus three times. Jesus will be with his disciples for only “a little while” (Jn 13:33) more. Soon, He will lay down His life and leave them. “Where I am going you cannot come,” Jesus says. This is devastating for the disciples. For the past few years, they have followed Jesus wherever He has led them. They have built their lives around their Master, hearing His words, doing His works and obeying His will. What will they do after Jesus departs? The disciples are anxious and uncertain. Look at John 14:1. Their hearts are troubled. It is a strong word that means they are in deep distress.
Are you discouraged? The Bible is honest about the struggles of God’s people. The characters we meet on the pages of Scripture are not polished or pristine. Like us, they are real people living in the mess of a fallen world, full of troubles and trials. They struggle with disappointment and discouragement, with weakness and frailty. They struggle with their own sins, as well as the sins of others against them. Like us, they also struggle to grasp the truth and to have faith. The Bible is honest about the difficulties of the life of faith. The struggles we face are not abnormal or strange; they are an ordinary part of the ordinary Christian life. Because the Bible is honest about the struggles of God’s people, we can also be honest with God about our struggles. We can go to Him for comfort and encouragement.
We should believe in the Father and the Son, who comforts His own.
In our passage, Jesus comforts His disciples by encouraging them to trust in Him. Although they do not understand yet, Jesus wants them to know that His departure will actually work out for their good. In these verses, Jesus explains how. So, we should believe in the Father and the Son, who comforts His own. This is the big idea. In this passage, Jesus gives us four reasons to believe in him, that we might be comforted in him. These are also the four points of the sermon: (1) Believe in Jesus, who gives us a heavenly home; (2) Believe in Jesus, who is the way; (3) Believe in Jesus, who shows us the Father; (4) Believe in Jesus, in whom we will do greater works.
Believe in Jesus, who gives us a heavenly home (Jn 14:1-4)
Jesus encourages His disciples to not let their hearts be troubled (Jn 14:1). The remedy for their distress is found in God Himself. Comfort comes from the Father and the Son, whom He has sent. Hence, the main command in our passage is this: Believe in God; believe also in me (Jn 14:1b). Notice how Jesus equal with God. To believe in God is to believe in Jesus; to believe in Jesus is to believe in God. The Father and the Son are equally God, and therefore equally worthy of our worship and trust. When we are troubled and discouraged, we should believe in the Father by believing in the Son. What matters most is the One in whom we believe, the object of our faith.
Our comfort does not ultimately depend on the quantity or quality of our faith, but on the trustworthiness of the object of our faith.
Our comfort does not ultimately depend on the quantity or quality of our faith, but on the trustworthiness of the object of our faith. Consider this: Two individuals take the same flight. One doesn’t like flying. He is nervous and worried throughout the flight. The other enjoys flying, and he has a restful flight. Which of them arrived at the destination? Both, of course. What matters is not their individual experience of the flight, but the reliability of the plane. It is the object of faith that matters most. Our faith may be little and weak. But even faith as small as a mustard seed is enough if it is faith in God and in His Son.
Jesus invites us to cast our burdens on Him. The word “troubled” is the same word Jesus uses of Himself in 12:27: “Now is my soul troubled.” See the Saviour’s heart for His own. He will soon suffer the agony of the cross. But even in the depth of distress, He does not forget His disciples. He comforts them. He loves them to the end. Jesus was troubled so that His disciples do not need to be! This is the good news: Jesus is troubled for us. Because we have all sinned against God, we deserve His judgement against us. But God, in His grace, sent His Son to save sinners like us. Jesus came to bear our sin. He died for sinners so that we can freely receive forgiveness, life, joy, and hope. Jesus gives us true comfort. Because He bears our trouble, we can have peace.
The disciples are troubled because Jesus is leaving. But it is precisely because Jesus is going to the cross that they can have comfort and hope. Jesus is about to depart through His death and resurrection. He will be glorified through the cross. Therefore, the disciples need not be troubled. Jesus says in John 14:2 that He will go to prepare a place for us. He will secure our heavenly home by dying on the cross and rising from the grave. God’s mercy and love have been poured out on us through His Son. In Christ, we receive the abundant riches of God’s boundless, inexhaustible grace. He has opened up the way for sinners to be reconciled to the holy God. There is ample place for God’s people in heaven. Jesus says, “In my Father’s house are many rooms.” Therefore, let all who are troubled by sin come to Jesus! There is plenty of room. He will not turn us away! By believing in the Son, we are adopted by the Father as His children. He welcomes us into his family. In Christ, we can be sure of an eternal home with God.
Some of us may think: So what? I like my present home in this world just fine, thank you very much. Maybe we are so caught up with the world that our hope of heaven has grown dull and dim. Maybe we have gotten too comfortable here. How will we re-kindle our longing for heaven? As we heard from Ecclesiastes, realising all is vanity helps us re-focus on fearing God and living for what truly lasts. Set our hopes on what is eternal, not on this passing world. Cultivate a longing for heaven by remembering death. This life is fleeting and futile. But Jesus promises us a heavenly home with Him forever.
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, guards every single one of His sheep.
But how can we be sure we will get there? Jesus, the Good Shepherd, guards every single one of His sheep. None will be lost. If we belong to Jesus, He will hold us fast. Not only does He go to prepare a place for us, but He also promises to return for us. Listen to John 14:3: “I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” Jesus, the Bridegroom, will return for His bride, the church. Until then, we can take heart, knowing Jesus is able to keep us for that day. We have a sure hope of a better home: We shall see our Lord face to face, and be with Him forever. We will also be reunited with other believers who have gone before. Jesus assures His disciples in John 14:4 that they are not ignorant of the way to God and glory: You know the way to where I am going. If we know Jesus, we know the way to our heavenly home.
The disciples might not have understood everything at once, but they will later on. Hear what Peter says in 1 Peter 1:3-5: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
Believe in Jesus, who is the way (Jn 14:5-7)
For now, however, the disciples do not understand what Jesus means. In the rest of our passage, Jesus answers questions from two of His disciples, first Thomas then Philip. In John 14:5, Thomas asks, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” It seems Thomas has not grasped what Jesus has been saying about who he is and what he will do. But to call him “Doubting Thomas” is probably a bit harsh. “Clueless Thomas” might be more apt. Do we see ourselves in him? In his shoes, we might be just as confused (if not more so). Following Jesus does not mean we will always have the answers. Faith seeks understanding from Jesus, who is patient with His disciples. We can bring our doubts and questions to him.
In response to Thomas’ question, Jesus speaks the sixth of his seven “I am” statements in John’s Gospel. His use of “I am” recalls how God revealed himself to Moses in Exodus 3 in the Old Testament: God says, “I AM WHO I AM.” Jesus is the Lord. He is God, the great I AM. The “I am” statements tell us who Jesus is and what he has come to do. He is the bread of life; the light of the world; the door of the sheep; the good shepherd; the resurrection and the life; the true vine. And here in John 14:6, Jesus says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.”
Jesus is more than merely a moral, religious teacher who tells us how to live. He is more than merely an example to imitate. Jesus does not just point us to the way, He Himself is the way. Jesus will die on the cross and rise from the dead to save sinners. So, the way we can come to God is by believing in Jesus. He is not merely one way of many, but the way. Jesus is the only Saviour; there is no other name by which we must be saved. Jesus is the only way. In a pluralistic world, this might sound narrow, intolerant and proud. But Jesus says it Himself: “No one comes to the Father except through me.” Have you believed in Jesus to save you from your sins?
The reason why Jesus is the only way is because He is the truth and the life. Jesus is the truth. He is the Word, who in the beginning was with God and was God. He is the Word made flesh. He has come to make God known. Jesus is the climax of God’s revelation. It is the difference between reading a message from a loved one and seeing and hearing from that same loved one in person, face-to-face. Previously, God spoke through the prophets who told us about God. But in these last days, we have heard from God Himself. He has spoken through His Son, who is the radiance of the glory of God. As the only Son, Jesus can reveal the glory of the Father, full of grace and truth. No one else can. So, listen to Jesus, who speaks with the Father’s authority.
Jesus is the life. In Him is life, and the life is the light of the world.
Jesus is the life. In Him is life, and the life is the light of the world. God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. The Father, who is the source of life, has granted the Son also to have life in Himself. Jesus can give us life because He lays down His life for the sheep. He is the resurrection and the life, because He defeats sin and death through the cross. Jesus is the source and giver of life. Only He has the words of eternal life.
Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Therefore, to know God, we must know His Son. Hear what Jesus says in John 14:7: “If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Do we wish to see God? Then, look to Jesus by faith. In Christ, we see God Himself. In Christ, we see the glories of God’s character perfectly displayed — His holiness, grace, mercy, love, and faithfulness. John 1:18 says, “No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.”
Believe in Jesus, who shows us the Father (Jn 14:8-11)
Jesus assures His disciples that because they believe in Him, they have come to know and see God. But Philip is unconvinced. Just to make sure, he wants Jesus to show them some sort of visible manifestation of God. He wants to see a sign from God. Do we see ourselves in Philip? Maybe we too expect God to show Himself to us on our terms before we will trust Him. What sort of sign do we seek? But what we fail to realise is that God has already shown Himself to us in the fullest and greatest way possible: He has sent His Son who, because He is one with the Father, is the perfect image of the invisible God. To see God, we look to Jesus.
Having followed Jesus for some time, Philip should have known this by now. Jesus replies in John 14:9, perhaps with some sadness and disappointment: “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?’” This is a humbling reminder to us that it is possible to say and do “Christian” things and still not know Jesus for who He is. Children, I am glad you can join us for the service today. Many of you have been coming to church with your parents for some time. Do you know Jesus as he truly is? Have you personally believed in Him? Ask your parents or a friend to tell you more about Him.
In John 14:10, Jesus again emphasises His relationship with the Father: “Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?” This describes the perfect unity between the Father and the Son. As Jesus said in John 10:30, “I and the Father are one.” The Father and the Son are equally and fully God. This lays the foundation for the doctrine of the Trinity. There is one God in three Persons — the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. Each Person is equally God, and fully God at the same time. This year is the 1,700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed. It was drafted in 325 AD in response to heresy that claimed Jesus is not fully God. Since then, Christians have used the Nicene Creed to affirm what the Bible says about the Triune God — Father, Son, and Spirit. It says of Jesus: “We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only -begotten Son of God, who was begotten of the Father before all ages, light from light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, having the same being as the Father...”
Jesus is the obedient Son, who says and does whatever the Father gives Him to say and do.
Jesus is the obedient Son, who says and does whatever the Father gives Him to say and do. The Father works through the incarnate Word. Look at the second half of John 14:10: “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.” Because of who Jesus is, whoever knows Him has seen the Father. Therefore, we do not have to ask for a sign from God. What more can the Father say to us? He has already spoken to us in His Son, the Word made flesh. Hear Jesus’ encouragement to Philip in John 14:11: “Believe in me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.” If Jesus’ words are not enough to convince us concerning who he is, then the signs he has done should make us sure. Jesus’ works confirm His words. Will we believe in Him?
Believe in Jesus, in whom we will do greater works (Jn 14:12-14)
So far, Jesus has given us three reasons to believe in Him in order to be comforted: He gives us a heavenly home. He is the way. He shows us the Father. Finally, Jesus encourages us to believe in Him, that we might do greater works. Listen to John 14:12: “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.” The disciples are troubled because Jesus will be leaving them. But Jesus wants them to understand how His departure will benefit them. Because Jesus is returning to His Father, Hs disciples can do even greater works.
What are these greater works? Certainly, it cannot mean that the disciples will accomplish even greater things than Jesus’ death and resurrection. His work is finished; it is sufficient to save. Rather, what Jesus means is the disciples’ works will be greater because they will be done in His power as the risen Lord. This is the driving force for the Great Commission. Jesus says in Matthew 28: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…”
So, it is good for the disciples that Jesus departs to die on the cross. Because after His resurrection, Jesus will be exalted as King and begin the new creation. Following Jesus’ death and resurrection, a new chapter of God’s salvation plan begins. As the risen King, Jesus will give the Spirit to whoever believes in Him to empower them for service. Jesus’ disciples will boldly go to the ends of the earth in the power of the Spirit to make Jesus known. Look at John 14:17. The Spirit is another Helper who will dwell in the disciples. The Spirit of truth will guide them into all the truth. He will convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgement.
These greater works are still being done today as Jesus’ followers tell others about Him in evangelism and missions.
Indeed, we see these promises fulfilled in the Book of Acts and the rest of the New Testament. And, these greater works are still being done today as Jesus’ followers tell others about Him in evangelism and missions. Beloved, we may find it challenging to share the gospel. Be encouraged that King Jesus has granted us the privilege and joy of sharing in His works and doing greater works. Be encouraged that King Jesus is the one who equips and empowers us by His Spirit. Be encouraged that King Jesus is the one who saves sinners, transforms lives, and gives the growth.
What’s more, Jesus invites us to ask for help in His name. Listen to John 14:13-14: Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. Jesus is not giving us a blank cheque to expect from Him whatever we want. To ask in Jesus’ name means to pray according to His will. In this context, we are to ask in line with the work that Jesus has given us to do. We pray for Jesus to be made known, that others may believe in Him and see the glory of God. The ultimate purpose of our prayers is so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. So, draw near to God with confidence and ask in Jesus’ name!
Goodbyes can be hard. Parting is such sorrow. But it is for our good that Jesus departs to finish the work the Father has given Him to do. And, sorrow is sweetened because we can look forward to Jesus coming back. He will be faithful to finish the good work that He began in us. He will surely bring us home to be with Him forever. Till then, He promises to be with us by the Spirit. So, let not our hearts be troubled. Take comfort. Believe in the Father and the Son. Jesus gives us a heavenly home. He is the way. He shows us the Father. In Him, we will do greater works.