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. Were 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 wont leave us by ourselves in the world. Thats 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 were one with God, then its going to show itself through
our lives and were going to have life. So, Christ uses this to comfort these men who are
about to be left alone as sheep among wolves:

19
Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me:

After hes crucified the world wont see him any more, but the disciples will. Theyll see
him during the time before his ascension, but I dont think thats what he means. Note
that you see me is in the present tense. The word for see doesnt have to mean that
they literally lay eyes on him; it means that they contemplate him or perceive him. They
know hes there despite the fact that he cant be seen.
1

Obviously this is a great source of comfort to them:

because I live, ye shall live also.

Heres one of the guarantees of union. He went to the cross, but that wasnt the end of his
story. Three days later he rose from the dead and ascended into heaven where hes
preparing a place for us. Once hes ready hell return again and take us with him. Thats
the whole promise, but its 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
believers baptism? Why dont we think sprinkling is proper? Well, heres our answer.
We died because he died, and thats how sin lost its power over us. Thats how Gods
wrath towards us has been satiated. We rose from the dead because he rose from the
dead. Thats how death has no sting towards us. We live because he is alive and in heaven
even now. Its 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:
11
In 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:
12
Buried 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.
13
And 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.
2
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3
For ye are
dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
4
When 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 thats true, then what can possibly happen to us now? This is why we dont 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!

20
At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

This isnt something they know right now, but itll be made clear to them at that day.
Keep in mind that hes talking about sending the Comforter, so that day is the day of
Pentecost. Thats the day that they start putting things together and start getting bold
with the gospel.

21
He 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. Thats the same word used here about those
who have Christs commands. Theyll be possessed by them; Gods 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.
2
By this we know that we love the children of
God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
3
For this is the love of God, that we keep
his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
4
For whatsoever is born of God
overcometh the world (1 Jn. 5:1-4).

You see, if we keep his commandments its 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. Theyll know who is
and what he wants. Doesnt 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.

Theres a load of comfort in that.

22
Judas 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?

23
Jesus 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 doesnt seem to answer the question, but think about it. If a man loves
Christ (as these disciples do), then hell 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.

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

The world cant see him because theyve 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,
18
Having
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:
19
Who being past feeling have given
themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness (Eph. 4:17-19).

You see me when they cant because I live inside you.

25
These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
26
But 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 hes getting right now. No one understands, and so he
says, Im telling you hard stuff now, but the Holy Spirit will come and make it all plain.
Dont worry.

Lets close with a summary:

#1Christ comforts us with firsthand knowledge of his presence.

#2Christ comforts us with the guarantee of life in him.

#3Christ comforts us with proof of his love for us.

#4Christ comforts us with truth learned from the Holy Spirit.

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