John 14
June 26th, 2009 As you know, most of the articles at this site deal with exciting things that are hidden within the Word of God. Things like ”types and shadows” are fun to explore and teach us about God, prophecy, and things God truly wants us to know. As He says, He wants us to “search out the matter,” and we are normally awe struck when we do.
Today, however, I want to look at a chapter in God’s true and definitive communication to us that may not have anything hidden in it. It surely could not be any more informative if it did, because this may be the one chapter in the Bible that clearly tells us everything we need to know about the absolute plan of God. This one chapter gives us as Christians our true “hope,” and dare I say it, “our responsibility.” And it was given to us by Jesus Himself. The chapter I am talking about is the fourteenth chapter of the Gospel of John. Let’s look at a few of Jesus’s own words from that incredible chapter.
“Trust in God - trust also in me.” John 14:1.
Trust in Jesus. This is not a suggestion. This is a commandment.
“In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 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.” John 14:2-3.
Heaven is not an ethereal place without physical properties. It is a real place, and Jesus Himself is preparing something special for us there, where we will actually have eternal life with Him. And He is promising to come back and take us there to live with Him. Our “hope” is not that Jesus will make things peachy keen for us here on earth, although he does help us in this earthly life. No, our “hope” is in an eternal life in a real place called heaven. That is what our focus should be on.
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.
We can not get to heaven by being good. We can’t get there by being Muslim or Buddhist or Hindu. There is no possible way of gaining eternal life in heaven except through Jesus. Our Savior could not have been more clear. The majority of the world is in for a huge shock. Jesus is the only option. Otherwise we perish.
“If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever - the Spirit of truth.” John 14:15-17.
We need to notice that the promise of the Holy Spirit that guides us and helps us in so many ways begins with a big word, “if.” “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” We must ask ourselves, how can we obey what Jesus commands unless we know what His commandments are? We can’t. And the only way to know what He commands is to study what He says to us in the Bible. How many people who call themselves Christians have even read the words of Jesus in the New Testament? From what I see, the answer is relatively few. We are talking about the Holy Spirit here, God Himself. We are talking about eternal life. This is not a child’s game. We are talking about the most important thing in each person’s life, and it is sluffed off as something trivial. Jesus even reiterates this point.
“Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.” John 14:21.
Does Jesus need to hit us over the head with the same thought again. He must, because He goes on to say:
“If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” John 14:23.
Dear reader, heaven is real. This life is less than a split second compared to eternity. Jesus even said in John 6:63, “The flesh counts for nothing.” Heaven is our goal. Heaven is our “hope.” Jesus is the only way to get there. And to get there we must love Him and obey Him. This is not a game. This is serious business. Wishing won’t get us there. Unlike what most teach, we do have a part in all of this. Reread Jesus’s own words above. Personally I put my trust in what Jesus tells me more than what some men tell me from our modern church. Jesus expects us to read our Bibles, obey His commands, and love him. We need to read God’s Word and spend time in prayer. Heaven is too glorious a “hope” to be flippant about.
Chapter and verse numbers were added long after they were written, but we can be assured that God was as much in control of them as the words themselves. God is big on numbers. If seven is perfection, then fourteen must be double perfection, or divine perfection. John 14 is God’s divinely perfect plan. It takes only three minutes to read in its entirety but all we need to know is in it. Please read it all yourself today. Jesus is right now preparing a special place for us, and if we love Him, trust Him, and obey Him, He will come and get us and we will live there with Him for eternity.
Heaven is real. So is hell. If you haven’t made your choice, do it now. Putting it off is a decision, and it is the wrong one. God advises us to “Choose life.” Deuteronomy 30:19.
June 27th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Amen! I have learned that a life with the Holy Spirit is a life of truth and communion with the Lord. Unfortunately most of our churches are still focused on works and have not invited the Holy Spirit into their congregations. Although I am beginning to see a revival here it seems to be happening without the leadership of churches. It’s wonderful seeing the power of our Lord move during these uncertain times. PTL.
June 28th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
Loved this teaching!
July 6th, 2009 at 2:27 am
Very good article, Bob. John 14 is a real blessing to read.
“Heaven is not an ethereal place without physical properties. It is a real place, and Jesus Himself is preparing something special for us there, where we will actually have eternal life with Him. And He is promising to come back and take us there to live with Him.”
We need to remind ourselves of this daily. Wow!