John 14:19-26 July 20, 2014

The promise we read in our last study together was that Jesus will not leave us as orphans: he will come to us. We’re going to pick up now in verse 19 and continue with this theme: Christ comforts his disciples and us with the promise of his presence and with the guarantees of our union. What I mean is that he won’t leave us by ourselves in the world. That’s surely a source of comfort and reminds us of the 23rd Psalm. But he also teaches about the guarantees of our union. In other words, if we’re one with God, then it’s going to show itself through our lives and we’re going to have life. So, Christ uses this to comfort these men who are about to be left alone as sheep among wolves:

19Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: After he’s crucified the world won’t see him any more, but the disciples will. They’ll see him during the time before his ascension, but I don’t think that’s what he means. Note that “you see me” is in the present tense. The word for “see” doesn’t have to mean that they literally lay eyes on him; it means that they contemplate him or perceive him. They know he’s there despite the fact that he can’t be seen. 1

Obviously this is a great source of comfort to them:

because I live, ye shall live also. Here’s one of the guarantees of union. He went to the cross, but that wasn’t the end of his story. Three days later he rose from the dead and ascended into heaven where he’s preparing a place for us. Once he’s ready he’ll return again and take us with him. That’s the whole promise, but it’s dependent on the first half of that sentence: “if I live.” If he lives, then that means he beat death. If he lives, then that means he can finish his work. If he lives, then that means he can make good on his promise. Now, I want you to think for a minute about baptism. Why are we so adamant about believer’s baptism? Why don’t we think sprinkling is proper? Well, here’s our answer. We died because he died, and that’s how sin lost it’s power over us. That’s how God’s wrath towards us has been satiated. We rose from the dead because he rose from the dead. That’s how death has no sting towards us. We live because he is alive and in heaven even now. It’s all about our union. Look over to Colossians for more of an explanation on this:

1 http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/morph?l=qewrei&la=greek#lexicon 

And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 13And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses (Col. 2:10-13). Now skip ahead to the next chapter: If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory (Col. 3:1-4). Note how everything is spoken of in the present tense. We are complete in him, we are circumcised (this was written to Gentiles), we are buried with him, we are risen, we are quickened together with him, and we are forgiven because we are dead and our life is hidden with Christ in God! And so, if that’s true, then what can possibly happen to us now? This is why we don’t fear those who can harm the body and not the soul. This is why the disciples should be comforted. If he lives, then they also live!

20At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. This isn’t something they know right now, but it’ll be made clear to them at that day. Keep in mind that he’s talking about sending the Comforter, so that day is the day of Pentecost. That’s the day that they start putting things together and start getting bold with the gospel.

21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him,

This verse has potential for misuse because someone might quote it to make you feel guilty. But remember that the aim here is comfort. In Matthew 11:18 Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for saying that John “has” a demon. In other words, they said he was possessed. That’s the same word used here about those who have Christ’s commands. They’ll be possessed by them; God’s Law is written on their hearts. See, this Comforter does more than tell us everything will be ok; he bears fruit through us to prove that we do indeed love God and are loved by him. Knowing this is a great comfort which John will go on to explain in more detail in one of his later letters:

We love him, because he first loved us (1 Jn. 4:19). Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. 2By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 4For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world (1 Jn. 5:1-4). You see, if we keep his commandments it’s because he loved us first, and those he loves he causes to overcome. Jesus is leaving, but these men have a lot of reason to be confident. Not only will he love them:

and will manifest myself to him. The Greek meaning for “manifest” is to make something clear or to explain it. These 2

disciples will not only perceive Christ; they will understand him. They’ll know who is and what he wants. Doesn’t it make you think of John 17:3? “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” There’s a load of comfort in that.

22Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?

Try to put yourself in their place and understand it from what they know. Does it really make sense that these men will perceive him but the whole rest of the world will be unable? How can they see him while no one else can?

23Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

Now, at first he doesn’t seem to answer the question, but think about it. If a man loves Christ (as these disciples do), then he’ll pay attention to what Christ says. The result is that the Father and the Son will set up residence inside of them; this is how they can see him when no one else can.

24He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.

The world can’t see him because they’ve rejected both the Father and the Son. They have no union and no Comforter. They are those who walk “in the vanity of their mind, 18Having

2 http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/morph?l=emfanisw&la=greek#lexicon 

the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness (Eph. 4:17-19). “You see me when they can’t because I live inside you.”

25These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

You can picture all the blank faces he’s getting right now. No one understands, and so he says, “I’m telling you hard stuff now, but the Holy Spirit will come and make it all plain. Don’t worry.” Let’s close with a summary: #1—Christ comforts us with firsthand knowledge of his presence. #2—Christ comforts us with the guarantee of life in him. #3—Christ comforts us with proof of his love for us. #4—Christ comforts us with truth learned from the Holy Spirit. newgracebaptistchurch.wordpress.com