Joh 14:1 | KingComments | STEP | The contrast between the subject or different subjects of this chapter and the last verses of the previous chapter is considerable. In those last verses the Lord Jesus foretold the denial by Peter. What Peter will do shows the impotence of the flesh to be faithful in any way, no matter how good the intentions. Opposite to this failure of the flesh, the Lord gives seven consolations in this chapter for the weak faith of impotent disciples: 1. When He is no longer with the disciples, they can turn to Him in faith just as they believe in God ( ). 2. He goes to prepare a place for them in the Father’s house ( ). 3. He Himself will come back to pick them up to be where He is ( ). 4. Until then, they will receive the full revelation of the Father in Him ( ). 5. Until then, they will be His representatives in the world, where they may pray with the authority of His Name and therefore be answered ( ). 6. In that time the Holy Spirit will come to be with them as Comforter and Teacher ( ). 7. He gives them His peace ( ). The Lord himself has been troubled several times by seeing sin in its consequences ( ). Now He tells His disciples that their heart needs not be troubled, that is, not moved intensely. He knows what He will do and what the consequences of His work will be and that they will be allowed to share in it. He has said to them that He will depart from them. That will sadden them, but He wants to direct their heart permanently to Himself. Although He will no longer be physically present with them, He will still be there in the same way as God is. They believe in Him, but they will have to believe in Him in a completely new way. Just as God has always been an object of faith without ever having been seen, He will also become an object of faith when they will no longer see Him. He will go away from them, but still He will be present, just as God is present. They will no longer see Him, but will continue to believe in Him and love Him ( ). With His going away, the era of faith will begin ( ; ).

‏ John 14:1

The Lord Jesus Object of Faith.

The contrast between the subject or different subjects of this chapter and the last verses of the previous chapter is considerable. In those last verses the Lord Jesus foretold the denial by Peter. What Peter will do shows the impotence of the flesh to be faithful in any way, no matter how good the intentions.

Opposite to this failure of the flesh, the Lord gives seven consolations in this chapter for the weak faith of impotent disciples:

1. When He is no longer with the disciples, they can turn to Him in faith just as they believe in God (Jn 14:1).

2. He goes to prepare a place for them in the Father’s house (Jn 14:2).

3. He Himself will come back to pick them up to be where He is (Jn 14:3).

4. Until then, they will receive the full revelation of the Father in Him (Jn 14:4-12).

5. Until then, they will be His representatives in the world, where they may pray with the authority of His Name and therefore be answered (Jn 14:13-14).

6. In that time the Holy Spirit will come to be with them as Comforter and Teacher (Jn 14:15-26).

7. He gives them His peace (Jn 14:27-31).

The Lord himself has been troubled several times by seeing sin in its consequences (Jn 11:33 ; Jn 12:27 ; Jn 13:21). Now He tells His disciples that their heart needs not be troubled, that is, not moved intensely. He knows what He will do and what the consequences of His work will be and that they will be allowed to share in it. He has said to them that He will depart from them. That will sadden them, but He wants to direct their heart permanently to Himself.

Although He will no longer be physically present with them, He will still be there in the same way as God is. They believe in Him, but they will have to believe in Him in a completely new way. Just as God has always been an object of faith without ever having been seen, He will also become an object of faith when they will no longer see Him. He will go away from them, but still He will be present, just as God is present. They will no longer see Him, but will continue to believe in Him and love Him (1Pet 1:8). With His going away, the era of faith will begin (Gal 2:20; 2Cor 5:7).