I Believe Sunday School Lesson

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I Believe Sunday School Lesson

Introduction

A. Famous Last Words

For some reason we attach special signifi-cance to the "last words" of a famous person.Good or bad, a person's final words often seemto summarize his or her life. The last words ofU.S. President Dwight Eisenhower (1890-1969)were, "I've always loved my wife. I've alwaysloved my children. I've always loved my grand-children. I've always loved my country. I wantto go. God, take me."

Nathan Hale (1755-1776), an American revo-lutionary spy, said, "I only regret that I have butone life to lose for my country," just before hewas hanged by the British. Karl Marx (1818-1883), reflecting his prideful spirit, came to the

end of his life by saying, "Go on. Get out. Lastwords are for fools who haven't said enough."As His crucifixion approached, Jesus had "yetmany things to say" to His disciples (John 16:12).But He was no fool, as Marx's statement wouldsuppose! Many of the final words of Jesus,recorded in John 13-17, are notable for their em-phasis on the future.

B. Lesson Background

Our lessons in this series so far have focusedon passages from the first 12 chapters of theGospel of John. As we noted last week. this sec-tion is often called the Book of Signs because ithighlights Jesus' public ministry of miracles andteachings; it portrays Jesus' actions as signs ofHis divine nature.

Yet despite all these great works, most peopleeither did not believe Jesus or refused to confesstheir faith for fear of persecution (see John 7:13;9:22). Following this rejection, Jesus met pri-vately with His disciples on the last night of Hislife in an upper room. There they celebrated thePassover (John 13:1-3).

It is interesting to compare the Gospel accountshere. Matthew, Mark, and Luke focus mainly onthe events surrounding the institution of theLord's Supper (see Matthew 26:17-30; Mark14:12-26; Luke 22:7-38). John, however, includeslengthy excerpts from Jesus' "farewell address"—His last words for the disciples before His arrest.The farewell address occupies all of John13-17. It focuses on the need for unity afterJesus' departure. This includes not only the dis-ciples' unity with Christ but also unity with oneanother. In today's passage Jesus reminds thedisciples that they can come to God only by be-lieving in Him and following His example.

I. Ultimate Comfort(John 14:1-4)

A. What to Do (v. 1)

1. Let not your heart be troubled: ye believein God, believe also in me.

The original. Greek text of this verse can betranslated in two different ways. One possibilityis that Jesus could be urging the disciples to be-lieve in both God and himself. Following this ap-proach the New International Version reads,"Trust in God; trust also in me."

On the other hand, Jesus may be building ontheir already existing belief in God to encouragethem to place complete faith in Him as well. TheKing James Version follows this approach: ye [al-ready] believe in God, [now] believe also in me.

The King James Version seems to be the bettertranslation. As Jews the disciples naturally be-lieve in God and His power; now, however, Jesusasks them to trust in Him as well.

Jesus asks this knowing full well that the faithof the disciples will soon be tested by the shock-ing events of His arrest and crucifixion. The dis-ciples should not lose faith even though mostothers do not believe. The disciples should main-tain belief even when it looks like the forces ofevil have won the day.

B. What Awaits (vv. 2-4)

2.In my Father's house are many mansions:if it were not so, I would have told you. I go toprepare a place for you.

The totality of Jesus' remarks undoubtedlygive the disciples both comfort and alarm. Thealarm comes with His announcement that He isgoing to leave them for a time. The alarm leads toconfusion in the minds of the disciples whenJesus says that He is going to a place where theycannot come (John 13:33).

Peter, and apparently the others, take this tomean that He is going to go into hiding for awhile. Peter then insists that he will follow Jesuseven to death (13:37). Now Jesus assures the dis-ciples that He is not leaving forever. He wantsthem to be with Him, so He must prepare a placefor them in His Father's house.

This verse has caused a certain confusionabout the nature of Heaven. The antique Ian-page of the King James Version says that the Fa-ther's house has many mansions, which suggeststo twenty-first-century readers that Heaven is aplace MI of large, expensive country estates.This mental picture, which builds on the im-agery of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21-22,perhaps places too much emphasis on the physi-cal and not enough on the spiritual. We woulddo well to think of these "mansions" as some-thing like "dwelling places"—special placeswithin God's house. !See question #1, page 216.1Believers have no permanent place in thisworld, which hates and persecutes the disciples(John 15:18; 16:1-3). We can take comfort, how-ever, in the fact that Jesus has prepared placesfor us in God's house. Then we can be with Himforever in Heaven.

3.And if I go and prepare a place for you, Iwill come again, and receive you unto myself;that where 1 am, there ye may be also.

This is the good news: Jesus will not abandonHis people. The word go clearly refers to His up-coming death, resurrection, and ascension. Jesus'death pays sin's penalty while His resurrection

shows His mastery over death (Revelation 1:18).That is how Jesus is able to prepare a place forthose who love Him.

Commentators are divided on the meaning ofcome again. Some argue that Jesus is referring toHis appearances to the disciples after the resur-rection, when He will give them further teaching.Others, however, suggest that the phrase receiveyou unto myself refers to our eternal home inHeaven (v. 2), so that come again must refer toJesus' second coming. In either case Jesusstresses that a temporary departure will ulti-mately make it possible for believers to dwellwills Him forever.

4.And whither I go ye know, and the way yeknow.

Based on Jesus' ministry and teaching to thispoint, the disciples should understand who Jesusis and what is about to happen to Him. Theyshould realize that His origin and destination isHeaven (whither I go) and that He must die (theway) in order to prepare their heavenly home.Jesus presumably intends to continue discussingthat issue, but Thomas interrupts with a ques-tion that reveals a lack of understanding aboutJesus and His mission.

II. Profound Truth(John 14:5-11)

A. Know the Way (vv. 5-7)

5.Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know notwhither thou guest; and how can we know theway?

Jesus' popularity seems to ebb and flow. Jesuswas at a height of popularity following the feed-ing of the 5,000 in John 6:1-14. But then Jesus'popularity in Galilee collapsed following Hishard teachings (John 6:60-66).

The resurrection of Lazarus served to refocusattention on Jesus' indisputable power (John11:45). A huge crowd has just welcomed Him tothe Passover celebration in Jerusalem (John12:12-18). Even the Pharisees are forced to admitthat "the world is gone after him" (John 12:19).It is against this backdrop that the disciplesprobably expect that Jesus will now take charge.Will He lead a revolt against Rome? Will He reformthe temple? Thomas reveals some of this "earthlythinking" with his question. Exactly where is Jesusgoing and how are the disciples supposed to getthere? Is Jesus going home to Galilee for a visit? IsHe going into hiding so that He cannot be arrested(see John 10:39; 11:54; 12:9-11)?

Thomas's question shows a lack of spiritualdiscernment. It has not yet occurred to him that

Jesus may be talking about His death and returnto Heaven. See question #2. page 216.1

6.Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, thetruth, and the life: no man cometh unto theFather, but by me.

The first part of Jesus' answer to Thomas'squestion features three nouns: the way, the truth,and the life. Jesus' statement that He is the way toGod most directly answers Thomas's question inverse 5, "How can we know the way?" Jesus isthe truth in that He defines correct beliefs aboutGod. When we look at Jesus, we learn the truthabout who God is, how He operates, and whatHe expects. For this reason, all people must ac-cept Christ in order to come to a proper under-standing of the Father.

Finally, Jesus is the life because He has life inhimself (John 5:26). He is "the resurrection, andthe life" (John 11:25). Jesus is "the true God, andeternal life" (1 John 5:20).

These facts mean that no man cometh unto theFather, but by me. Truly John 14:6 is one of themost important verses in the Bible! (See question#3. page 216.1

7.If ye had known me, ye should haveknown my Father also: and from henceforth yeknow him, and have seen him.

Because Jesus is God's Son, and because Hefollows God's will perfectly, knowing Jesus givesus knowledge of God as well. The verb knowgoes beyond simple awareness that God exists;rather, it refers to a certain understanding of whoGod is, how He operates, and how we are to liveas His people.

The disciples have learned (or should havelearned) all that they need to know about these

things through their experience with Jesus. Theword if opens a criticism of the disciples' failureto understand adequately that Jesus is the trueway to the Father. Now that Jesus has explainedthe matter more fully, He expects them hence-forth to have a better comprehension.

B. Know the Father (vv. 8-11)

8. Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us theFather, and it sufficeth us.

Philip's innocent request reveals that he, likeThomas, is still having a hard time understand-ing Jesus' plan for the future. His request seemsmore unusual, however, in light of what Jesushas just said to Thomas.

As a result, students of the Bible are dividedon Philip's intent. On the one hand, some believethat Philip harbors doubts about Jesus' claims tobe the only way to God, and therefore Philipwants to see evidence to confirm his faith. Underthis theory, the phrase show us the Father wouldthus be a request for some sort of visionary expe-rience that would allow them to be certain of thetruth of what Jesus is saying.

On the other hand it simply could be thatPhilip does not yet realize that Jesus' "Father" isnot Joseph of Nazareth, but rather the eternalGod in Heaven (compare John 6:42). If this is thecase, then Philip perhaps thinks that Jesus isgoing back to Galilee to visit His parents. SoPhilip wants Jesus to explain exactly why He isgoing to do that. In either case Philip clearly doesnot yet comprehend fully that God the Fatherhas made himself known in Jesus.

Show ME!

There are numerous phrases that mean, "Proveit!" One that was popular a few years ago was"Show me the money!" (from a movie). Enthusi-astic talk is one thing. But when the impatientseller wants to close the deal, he or she may say,"Show me the money!" A similar phrase is, "Putyour money where your mouth is!" Big talk isnot enough.

This "prove it" attitude cuts across many areasof life. For several years I have been active in ac-crediting associations that review institutions ofhigher education. At one of our annual meetingsa couple of years ago, the staff of the associationsported buttons that proclaimed, "Show me thelearning." It is not enough for a college to saythey educate their students; they have to demon-strate that learning does in fact take place.Our modern world is filled with demands of"Show me!" The same was true in ancient times,as we see in Philip's request. Jesus bad identified himself with the Father and said that the disci-ples had seen the Father in Jesus' activities. Yeteven after three years, Philip still did not under-stand. "Show sire," he demanded.

We are not mull different. Our actions con-stantly request, "show me Your grace," "show meYour forgiveness," "show me Your love," "showone that You understand what I am goingthrough." Before we make too many such re-quests of God, we should remember that Jesusdid show us—on the cross. —J. B. N.

9.Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so longtime with you, and yet bast than not known me,Philip? he that bath seen me halts seen theFather; and how sayest thou then, Show us theFather?

At this point in the Gospel of John, Jesus hasspent some three years (so long time) with thedisciples, teaching and working miracles. Overthe course of His ministry, Jesus has explicitlydiscussed His unity with the Father and has saidthat He came to reveal God to the world.

Jesus is therefore dismayed at the lack of un-derstanding in even His closest followers. Theystill do not really understand who He is. This isspiritual blindness.

10.Believest than not that I am in the Father,and the Father in me? the words that I speakunto you I speak not of myself: but the Fatherthat dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.Jesus' question reflects His frustration. Hiswords emphasize His complete unity with God—the Father is in Jesus, but Jesus is also in the Fa-ther, suggesting that the two think and act asone. This has been called a "mutual indwelling."Jesus points to two areas of His ministrywhere this relationship should be obvious: thethings He says and the things He does. BothJesus' teachings and miracles reveal God to theworld in an unprecedented way.

11. Believe me that I am in the Father, andthe Father in me: or else believe me for the veryworks' sake.

Jesus did a tremendous miracle in John 6when He fed the 5,000. But the result was thatpeople sought Him out not because of the mira-cles but because they had had their fill (John6:26). Jesus' miracles should prove that He ismore than just a prophet, magician, or a breadking. These mighty deeds should lead people tounderstand that He reveals God in a new andunique way.

Jesus assumes that His works will eliminateany doubt about His own identity and the iden-tity of His Father. If Philip can't understand Jesus' teachings about himself, which seem to beobvious enough., perhaps he should ask himselfwhat it means that Jesus could raise Lazarusfrom the dead!

III. Extreme Promise(John 14:12-14)

A. What We Can Do (v. 12)

12. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He thatbelieveth on me, the works that I do shall he doalso; and greater works than these shall he do;because I go unto my Father.

This verse presents us with some interestingchallenges of interpretation. First, who is it thatwill do greater works than Jesus'? Is it only theoriginal apostles or is it all believers? The phraseHe that believeth on are points to all Christians.With that identity established we next need toask, "In what sense will Christians be able to dogreater works than Jesus?" The clue to answeringthis question is found in the last phrase because Igo unto my Father. That exaltation will happenonly after Jesus' death and resurrection. It isJesus' sacrifice that launches a new era of power.None of Jesus' own miracles or teaching up tothe point of the cross and empty tomb couldbring about salvation.

Compare the power of the gospel before andafter the cross. Even after more than three yearsof Jesus' teaching, preaching, and miracles, Hismost dedicated followers were relatively few innumber. But after Jesus' resurrection conies theDay of Pentecost. Preceding that glorious day,there were only about 120 believers gathered inJerusalem (Acts 1:15). Peter's sermon arid the ar-rival of the Holy Spirit then add about 3,000(Acts 2:41)!

Whereas Jesus' displayed His power only in avery limited geographical region, His followerseventually proclaim the gospel across the RomanEmpire. Their efforts will reach a much largernumber of people, including Gentiles. Christ em-powers us to show everyone that He alone is theway to the Father. (See question #5, page 2161

B. What Jesus Will Do (vv. 13, 14)

13, 14. And whatsoever ye shall ask in myname, that will I do, that the Father may be glo-rified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in myname, I will do it.

These verses must be interpreted both withintheir immediate context and within the largercontext of the John's writings. Jesus has just toldthe disciples that believers will be empowered todo "greater works." In verses 15-17 (not intoday's text), Jesus proceeds to tell His disciplesthat He will ask God to send "the Spirit of truth"to abide with them. The Spirit will give comfortin the face of persecution (John 14:26, 27) and will work with the disciples to convict the worldof sin (16:8-14). Jesus clearly is speaking, then, ofthe power to proclaim the gospel. This is whatbrings glory to the Father (7:18; 8:50, 54; 12:28).

Consistent with this theme, 1 John 5:14, 15states that God will answer prayers that we offer"according to his will"; in that context this ap-parently refers to prayers for those who havefallen away (1 John 5:16). Jesus is not saying,then, that we can expect God to grant our whimslike some sort of heavenly Santa Claus. The em-phasis, rather, lies in the phrase in my name:Through Jesus alone we come to God, andthrough Him God grants us power to proclaimthe truth in a lost world.

ASK IN MY NAME

My father was a carpenter who spent most ofhis working years building houses for a contrac-tor. While working on one project, he and hiscrew experienced significant harassment fromthe residents of a neighboring house. Theythreatened to sue because some of the workmen had walked through a corner of their yard, dam-aging some grass. They refused to allow theworkmen to get drinking water from an outsidetap.

They wanted a ridiculous amount of com-pensation because they said that the workmenhad damaged some vegetables in the garden.This hostile situation changed dramaticallywhen the neighbors discovered that the workmenwere under the contractor rather than under thedeveloper.

The neighbors had been cheated bythe developer, but they had no grudge against thecontractor. The name of the contractor was re-spected; the name of the developer was despised.It is important to establish in whose name weoperate, isn't it? If we come to God and requestthings in our own name, or on our own merits,we will not get much response. But when we askin the name of Jesus according to His will, that'sa different story! The name of Jesus opens us upto the marvelous power of God.

Conclusion

A. Mansion? Cottage?

The hymn "Mansion Over the Hilltop" by IraStanphill (1914-1993) is well known. Its lyricscompare the "cottage" the singer has on earthwith the "mansion" that awaits in Heaven. Butwhen the King James Version came into being in1611, the word mansion simply meant an"abode" or "dwelling place" or a separate apart-ment that was not part of a larger building. In thissense a mansion in Heaven is the special placethat God has prepared for those who are faithfulto Hint. Jesus does not emphasize the materialcomforts of this heavenly dwelling. Instead He fo-cuses on the essential benefit that we will enjoy:God and Christ will be with us forever.

In the meantime Jesus calls us to live lives thatshow we are in fellowship with Hint. As we dowe have the confidence that He will give us thepower we need to do all that He asks. This maybe difficult, but a heavenly home awaits forthose who remain faithful.

B. Prayer

Father, we live in a world of falsehood. Some-times we have a hard time saying what the wordtruth means anymore. Please help us live livesthat are pleasing to You. Give us confidence sothat we can stand up for You and do the greaterworks that Jesus calls us to do. In Jesus' name.Men.

C. Thought to Remember

Believe in Jesus and find God.

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