You will do greater things (John 14a)

You will do greater things

John 14:1-14

Key verse ¹² Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

Introduction:

When I was young, I had a dream to do something great.  But that dream was heavily conditioned on what I could do or what I had. Because of this, the dream, instead of giving me a boost for my life, killed me to hopelessness and frustration. Like this the ultimate dream of men cannot be fulfilled unless there is a solution to suffering and death.  The disciples had a great dream, greatest one and very real one. It was about the kingdom of God with the King Jesus. This dream was shattered as they heard of Jesus’ departure through the way of suffering and death. Yet Jesus teaches that Jesus’ death shall not destroy that dream. Instead his death warrants that dreams. They were to look at Jesus’ departure by faith and to find a fresh look for the dream. I pray that we all may find that dream of the kingdom of God.

1.    The troubled hearts

The night before Jesus was arrested, he ate the meal together with 12 disciples. At the end of the meal, Jesus revealed shocking news; one of them will betray Jesus and Jesus would go and they could not follow him. In an effort not to be separated from Jesus, Peter, the most bold and courageous one, declared that he would follow Jesus even to death. Even with such courageous and decisive decision to follow, Jesus told him that he would deny Jesus three time before the rooster crows.  This sent a chilling effect on his loyal disciples, not only the way Jesus was leading would be very dangerous but also for the fact that they would be completely separated from Jesus, their Lord.

Until this time the disciples did not doubt that Jesus was their way to the kingdom of God, their truth, and their life. When Jesus rebuked the Pharisees and teachers of the Law, they wholeheartedly agreed with Jesus because what Jesus said was of God and his holiness and his justice. They did not doubt that Jesus had the truth of God than any other men they knew of. They were so sure that Jesus had the truth of God, the God who led Israel so far over 3000 years since Abraham.

They also firmly believed that Jesus was the way to God because Jesus was the Son of God and he demonstrated his power and authority as the Son of God, fitting to or fulfilling God’s promise.  They did not doubt that Jesus was the Messiah and king. So when he was going to Jerusalem, they were so sure that Jesus would restore the kingdom of God. So following Jesus is the way to the kingdom of God.

Like this Jesus was their hope and their life, and the way to the kingdom of God.  Literally they all depended all of their lives on Jesus as they followed Jesus all along. They did not worry about anything, except listening to Jesus and seeing the works of Jesus and following him in pride and ambition. So they had life in full in meaning and in purpose with all its worth.

But in this intimate setting of sharing the last meal with them, Jesus said that no one could follow him. This separation was by his suffering and death. They knew and understood that Jesus would be gone for good!  This news shook all that they believed in Jesus from its foundation; In their mind a doubt loomed large that Jesus did not lead them to the kingdom of God for suffering and death never lead anyone to the kingdom of God. This also shattered the belief that Jesus was and had the truth, and the life. Jesus knew the troubled heart and said this;

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.

The trouble is rooted in their doubt and fear over death; a doubt if Jesus was going to restore the kingdom, and the fear because separation by suffering and death might be final. In addition suffering and death were least likely fitting for the Lord or for any one of such great power, truth and godliness.  The way of Jesus might not the way of God; they could not trust fully Jesus’ choice any more! But Jesus told them that as they trust God, so must they trust Jesus as well because what Jesus was about to do is from God as well. Then how could Jesus’ way of suffering and death be of God’s will and his purpose? In order to convince them to accept this as the will of God and to take this as their way, Jesus explains on what would happen to him through the way of death (14:1-14) and on what he would do for them after that (Luke 14:15-31).

2.     I am going to prepare a place for you.[2-4]

² My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

Fear and anxiety came from the worries that they might not have a place for them in the kingdom of God. They had been waited for the time of glory, peace and joy in the kingdom of God. This was what we all yearn to have. Those things were not there with them but they would be in the kingdom of God. So whatever the process to get there might be, if they were assured of their place in the kingdom, whatever happens might not be so much a trouble for them.  “I am going there to prepare a place for you!”  Here Jesus’ going means his separation with his disciples by his suffering, death and resurrection. So these three things--suffering, death and resurrection--form the way how Jesus would go to the father.  This is the way how Jesus would go to the father and this is how Jesus was preparing for them a place in Father’s house so that they might be able to come to the father. Also this is the way what God planned in Jesus’ life. All these had to happen because these are the things needed to prepare a place for them.  Only after he had done this, Jesus could come back to take them with Jesus. The final goal of Jesus’ going is for them to be with God in his house as they were so eagerly waited for.

So the disciples had to accept that Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection is the essential in order to prepare a place for them and the way for them to enter the kingdom of God.

Strangely, according to the Gospel John, Jesus did not mention anything about Jesus’ suffering, death at all. He focused on the fact that this separation was just for a while and he would surely come back to them. This tells us about how Jesus wanted for his disciples see Jesus’ suffering and death.  It has to be their pathway. But it does not end in itself. It is the pathway to the Father God!  Also since Jesus would go through the way of suffering, death and then to resurrection, so will his disciples go through the same path to the Father. This is a very positive perspective on Jesus suffering, death and resurrection, focusing on the glory of the kingdom of God. After this explanation about his departure, Jesus ended with this conclusion:

⁴ You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Jesus explained the whole thing about Jesus departure; he was going to the father to prepare a place for them and he would come back to take them there for good.  This is Jesus’ journey log or course to the final destination, God.

Is there another way? (5)

But to the disciples, the way Jesus was going, i.e. suffering and death, is or cannot be any way to anywhere. It is a dead end and can’t be a way to God.  So Thomas asked;

⁵ Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

When men’s mind is only on what they see and what they know, it is hard to understand the way of the Lord. Death is not a way. It is a dead end! There is no way after death. Then how come did Jesus say that he is the way as he was leaving them by death? There must be another way to the father because Jesus has power of God! They had firm grip on their idea that suffering and death cannot be the way to the father. Jesus, the Son of God must be able to provide a way to the father without suffering and without death!

As long as we hold on to such idea, then, we constantly look for some other way to get to the glory and peace of God.  The disciples did not relinquish this idea despite of the fact that they had seen Jesus raising Lazarus to life, and despite of the fact that they knew God has power to give life, they were still under the power of death because they could not overcome it!

Underneath of such conviction lies a thinking that God has to accept as they are even though their lives are filled with sinfulness. This is God’s grace and this must be the way. Such thinking defy God’s righteousness and justice. This is to dishonor the God of holiness that cannot tolerate sin and wickedness. But we all men think that there is a way to enter the kingdom of God as we are. One of many of such attempt is ascetic life style, to keep oneself pure and holy, godly…  There are many religions that offer such ideas. But none is able to succeed in it.  But such tendency is deeply ingrained in our mind that many fell to such trap, ‘there might be a better way or another way’

Like this, men’s sin and its judgment had firm grip on their being that it was impossible for them to overcome it.  If these disciples cannot see this, then who else can see and believe the way of Jesus? Jesus made all out efforts to impart and to implant the truth of God in them.  

My way is God’s way and there is no other way [6]

What was Jesus’ answer?

⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Jesus is the way; it means that Jesus as a person is the way for men to enter the kingdom of God and also it means that the way Jesus walked and lived is the way for us to enter the kingdom of God. Here Jesus is talking about Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection. This is the only way to God and to His kingdom.

Jesus is the truth; God is the truth and the disciples believed and did not doubt. Also they believed that Jesus had the truth, speaking and living for the truth of God. But the moment Jesus said that he was to suffer and die, they raised a serious doubt if Jesus ‘ way is the way of truth. Do death has any truth of God? Death can have life? Or death can merit any life? But Jesus says exactly that; Jesus is the way to God and he has and is the truth and has and is the life. Jesus’ suffering and death is the truth for them. They are truth for their life. As they have believed Jesus to be their way, life, and truth, even now as he was about to go through suffering and death Jesus is and shall be the way, the life, and the truth. Jesus held and revealed this principle of life at the first announcement of his death. 

Luke 9:24

²⁴ For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.

And yet they glided over this truth because they did not believe and did not want to accept.  This had been an on-going desire and reluctance to accept Jesus’ way as the way of life.  They held on their belief as long as they could. But the time has come for them to make decision either to accept it or to reject it.  Imminent death of Jesus forced them to made decision. This is the breaking point whereby they chose to stay with their human nature and understanding or to choose God’s truth in faith that they had with Jesus. 

It is interesting that Jesus did not just teach them in reason as the principle of truth. Jesus forced them to act on it by literally walking that truth. Truth is not just an intellectual idea or capturing an infinite knowledge of God. The truth must embody in our entire being. It is by living and action in faith. Without this we remain powerless and detached the Spirit of God and Jesus.  Our life as believers is filled with the moments like this.  Jesus’ way is the way, the truth, the life.  We are to take on this way as our way. There is NO other way to the Father and His glory.  God has set this from the beginning of the fall of men and only those who accept Jesus’ way will receive life.  What shall we do? What Jesus said to Peter speaks the utmost truth for life. We are to take on it as our way of life!

3.     From now on, you do know him and have seen him [7-10]

Since they were so much under shadow of darkness and ignorance, Jesus invited them to know Jesus more particularly in regard to what Jesus was about to do.

^7a If you really know me, you will know my Father as well.

Though they had been with Jesus more than any one else and though they knew Jesus more than any one out there, Jesus is saying that they have yet to know something more about Jesus. If they know that something, then their understanding of Jesus will be complete. That something is Jesus’ suffering and death. This is the final huddle for them to accept but when they come to know this, then they will know God, the Father as well.  So, in and through Jesus’ suffer and death, God will fully reveal to his people who He is and what His will is in this.  [The Holy Spirit will work to reveal what Jesus did; detailed in John 16:8-15]

In this presumptive mood, Jesus invited them to bear with Jesus so that they may know Jesus fully.  Counting on the fact that the presumption made would happen, Jesus gave them full picture of the impending reality that were about to come to them.   

7b “From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

By assumption, they have gone through this last disclosure of God’s truth, and all the shadow of ignorance and uncertainty will be gone from their hearts. They will know the full meaning and significance of the cross of Jesus, the utmost will of God the father and the life giving love of Jesus. Their hearts will be filled with certainty that God is with Jesus and Jesus has been with God the Father all through his suffering and death, not to mention his resurrection. They become one with Christ and one with the Lord. All would be so clear in regard to all will of God as if they saw God face to face. There will be awe and there will be glory and there will be righteousness and holiness.  Who would have known and seen such thing! But they will!

Despite of such explanation, their mind was stuck under the power of death and could not overcome it. Philip said this;

⁸ Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”

What he meant was that if they see God along with Christ, they would be convinced that what Jesus was about to do was of God and the way of the Lord. As we noted before, this desire is in line with idea that God has come and accept them as they are, though they are still under the power of sin. What is the problem and difficulty in this request?

It was an impossible proposition; when Israel saw God in his full glory at the foot of the Mountain Horeb, Israel trembled with fear and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.” (Exo 20:19)  They could not bear God of holiness, for no one can survive after seeing him. This was the exact reason why God said to Moses,

“What they say is good. ¹⁸ I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him. (Deut 18)

As God promised, Jesus came in God’s name and he spoke God’s word. God warned Israel what would happen if they refuse to listen to that prophet like them;

¹⁹ I myself will call to account anyone who does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name

Jesus explained exactly what God meant to do through him.

⁹ Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? ¹⁰ Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.

Jesus declares that anyone who has seen me has seen God. Jesus was in the father and God was in Jesus. When he spoke, he did not speak in his own accord. Instead it was the God who was living in Jesus spoke. Whatever Jesus did, it was not Jesus’ authority that did but God in his authority did it.  In this way, Jesus was true and full and only representation of God the father. So if they had seen Jesus, then it was as good as seeing God, in his full will. Did Philip not know this? It is almost certain that he knew this since he was one of those participated in doing miracles in Jesus’ name.  But as he faced Jesus’ suffering, and death, a mark of judgment and condemnation, he could not comprehend that God would do such thing. How would God the Father do such thing as this, letting his beloved son to suffer and to die. Suffering, death are reserved for those who do wrong and evil. It should never be for Jesus!  This is the irony and enigma or riddle that the disciples could not untangle even with any stretch of imagination. It was not in line with God’s justice, not with God’s love and not with his holiness. Never the God of such truth would do such thing as letting his son suffer, and die!  Jesus, “you insist that this is the will of God’, then let us see the Father being with you! That would undoubtedly make clear to us that God is with you even in the matter of suffering and death.  Who else has life but God, the Father alone?” This was the perfect reasoning and perfect request. But how can a man understand the depth of God’s will? This makes all clearer that only by going through Jesus suffering and death; full knowledge of God would come to them.

¹¹ Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.

Based on the works Jesus did, Philip must believe this one as well, i.e. Jesus suffering, death is also God’s will. The powerful works that Jesus did remains as powerful witness for them to trust that God is still with Jesus even through death and to the resurrection.  So, the signature events of God, i.e. miracles are the fulcrum of faith that helps them go through even suffering and death.  

How hard it is to convince man under the power of death? Death stands tall, a wall that no one can overcome. This was the very reason why Jesus had to suffer and die. Only by faith in the work Jesus did, they could overcome the power of death. Nothing else. In this way, resurrection would be theirs wholly.

What does this tell us? Suffering and death is the biggest huddle for any men to overcome.

Practically no man can overcome with right mind, the mind framed under the power of death. In order to escape or avoid these, we human beings make all out effort. This is wrong and such effort does not lead us to anywhere. It only leads us back to the place where we left off, to face suffering and death again. Instead of making efforts to avoid any thing that leads to suffering and death, we must have a clear view; it is the pathway to glory and it is the will of God. In it only, we can see or are empowered to see God’s glory. Suffering and death is the way to life and to the glory of God. This shall be our view and in this perspective we are to take all challenges of life.

Jesus taught this many times. But the disciples could not digest or accept this. In other word, classroom teachings or personal counsels are far too insufficient to bring about the faith that overcomes the power of death. Jesus had to force them to accept this by his own suffering and death. This became the source of power for his disciples to overcome it. It is whereby the most powerful force of God’s truth is revealed and imparted to his believers.  Throughout the church history, that power has been carrying the work of God forward. So we must ask to ourselves if that power is at work in me. Or, if that power is the power that runs the ministry?  No matter how excellent it may be, classroom teaching has a limit up to the limit as far as human will and human compassion are willing to go. We are forced to remain within this limit and we may not look much different from all others good-willed people. Simply speaking, even if we do many things as godly man and woman, and we feel good about it, yet we are not much different from all others of good will if we do not overcome the power of death and retreat to the safety of human comfort in facing ungodly forces of this time.

As we discussed, the power is important quality as one attains to the kingdom of God in glory. When the disciples saw Jesus’ power to heal, to drive out demonic forces and to calm the storm, disciples’ minds was sold to Jesus because they were of heavenly quality. They themselves wished to share that power and actually they tasted that power as they went out mission trip with Jesus’ power. All the power Jesus demonstrated was to undo ill-effects of sin. The disciples were so eager to join in that kingdom because of that power; the power impregnated in Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection and is given through the faith in Jesus. Also this is the most important concern for God as well since we are to remain in the world while living as citizens of heaven.

Then what is the power of believing in Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection? We may look a power inwardly, i.e. the power in our ability acquired through such life-overcoming experience.  But Jesus taught something totally different.

4.     You will do greater things [12-13]

¹² Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

Jesus suddenly shifted his talk from doubt to faith, and from Jesus to them. Jesus’ word is strong, demanding their decision. “Very truly” They were to look up on the side of believing this, instead of looking down on the imminent grim picture.   “Whoever believes in me..” Jesus was offering something big to all who believe. That is that they will do the works Jesus has been doing.  Actually this reminded them of the works they did as they went out a mission journey. They were so happy in what they could do and said this:

¹⁷ The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” (Luke 10)

To them Jesus gave them what the power truly meant to their lives;

²⁰ However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10)

This was a taste of the kingdom of God with Jesus.  At that time through those miracles they felt oneness with Jesus and with God the Father. This hope was dashed to pieces when Jesus announced his death. But here Jesus reignites that hope for the kingdom, which will be soon theirs for good. In other word, the hope of doing things as they did with Jesus would become real when they have gone through Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection. How could that be possible if Jesus was not with them? But Jesus said the reason why. It would be “Because I(Jesus) am going to the father”.  

As Jesus’ miracles testify his oneness with the father, they would do great things as Jesus did as he has been with God because the disciples becomes one with Jesus. 

First, because the disciples will be one with God’s will.  Jesus explained that whatever he did, all the miraculous works and teachings, he did as God the father directed him, i.e. in obedience to God’s will. In other word, Jesus was one with God the father and Father was with Jesus. In this oneness Jesus did all the miracles in power. Likewise, when the disciples becomes one with God’s will by what God willed in Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection, God will do the exactly the same thing to Jesus’ disciples.  (John 17:22; Rom 8:29) We can discuss later on how believing this would create oneness with the father. (mainly two things, redeeming work of Jesus on behalf of sinners and appeasement to God for God’s holiness and righteousness) 

¹³ And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

How will that oneness with the father and the Son be proven in our lives? It is by calling God’s help “In my name”.  Jesus called himself  “the Son of man” from the beginning of his ministry. (John 1)  Jesus explained what the Son of man was to do in Luke 24:26(John 3:14; 8:28). That is that he must suffer and die and then to enter the glory. When one calls on God in Jesus’ name, he is not reciting a magic name, like pagan enchanters. He is expressing his will to accept Jesus’ way and to conform to the work Jesus did on the cross. He is relying on the personhood of Jesus who lived and died on the cross and resurrected. He is calling on him in the honor of what he did on the cross. By calling in Jesus name, we become one with Jesus and one with the father ‘s will. So at the heart of this call is one’s will and affirmation on Jesus suffering, death and resurrection as the way and the life and the truth that God planed and exert his plan of salvation. In this way, we can plead and ask and even demand of God. In Jesus name, much greater works will be done. Such greater works will prove in us and for the world that Father God and His Son are with us.

5.    All for the glory of God [14]

¹³ And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Jesus will do whatever they ask in Jesus’ name. This is an amazing promise. We can plead for, ask and even demand in Jesus name. We can call for the power that Jesus had and demonstrated while he was on the earth.

The purpose of this is that God may be glorified in the Son. The Son, Jesus, showed full obedience to the father by his death and honored God and upheld his glory. Like wise when we believe in our hearts the truth of Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection, God is glorified in us. God’s justice and God’s holiness and God’s love are upheld and glorified in us as well as through us.

The world is created for God’s glory. But how can a man in sin glorify God? When one calls God in Jesus’ name, God is glorified and Jesus will ask the father and do everything that he asks.  So, all the works of God given to us as the answer to our prayer is for the glory of God.

 What does it mean to us? We are call on God in Jesus’ name. We can do it only when we accept Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection as the way of life and truth, and to the kingdom of God.  Otherwise we remain in fear and live in the goodness of our will and may not glorify God at all. But when we take and believe the way of cross as the way of truth for life, we will be one with God the father and His Son Jesus. He will do everything for us as we ask in Jesus’ name.

So let us take the way of cross as our way with positive attitude and fixing our eyes on the glory that Jesus attained by taking on the cross and on Jesus who is now sitting at the side of God of glory.