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John

John 
Day 
Day 207

Returning to the topic of "going away"

Text: John 14: 12-30

RETURNING TO THE TOPIC OF “GOING AWAY”

Once again, Jesus returned to the topic of death – His death in particular. Would the Disciples be more ready to learn what Jesus had to say on this topic? His death had more significance than they thought. Jesus was going to wrap up this discussion of His death soon.

“You have heard Me say to you,
‘I am going away and coming back to you.’
If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said,
‘I am going to the Father’, for My Father is greater than I.”
John 14:28

The discussion of His death must not be thought of in isolation. There was high purpose and great significance in His death! However, these meanings had escaped the grasp of the Disciples. They had not been able to comprehend the significance of why Jesus had to die, even though this was something that He had been speaking about for a long time.

One of the earliest statements He had made concerning His demise was spoken in a conversation with Nicodemus. Jesus said even then,

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,
even so must the Son of Man be lifted up.
That whoever believes in Him should not perish
but have eternal life.”
John 3:14-15

On another occasion, Jesus announced His “going away” to the Jews. He said simply,

“I am going away, and you will seek Me,
and will die in your sin.
Where I go, you cannot come.”
John 8:21

The Jews of course did not understand a word Jesus said! He thus repeated what He had said to Nicodemus.

“When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know
that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself;
but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things.”
John 8:28

The Disciples must not be as the Jews, who were spiritually blind and devoid of understanding! The words of Jesus, even though the topic was about His death, should have caused their hearts to find joy!

JOY IN DEEP SORROW?

What new thing was Jesus introducing now? Did He really mean it? Could the Disciples actually find themselves “rejoicing”? How could that be possible? The Disciples couldn’t find peace in their hearts and minds, and Jesus had already gone beyond the subject of peace to joy! They would certainly need the deep and special ministry of the Holy Spirit to be able to figure out the meaning of this mention of joy!

Was Jesus’ heart filled with joy even as He spoke? If so, how could He find joy when He knew that He was going into a season of unimaginable pain and suffering? How does one find peace, let alone joy?

JOY TO BE FOUND IN THE FATHER’S PRESENCE

What was that joy that Jesus spoke of? Surely, it was with reference to His Father. Jesus never failed to mention His Father every chance He had. Let us take a look at some of the references that He made concerning His Father.

a) The Father’s Love
Jesus reveled in His Father’s love. He spoke often of the deep and precious love of the Father.

“For God so loved the world…”
John 3:16

“The Father loves the Son…”
John 3:35

Death would only usher Jesus into the bosom of His Father. What joy that would be! Could the Disciples understand His joy?
b) The Father’s will
Jesus always spoke of doing the will of His Father. His will was received with joy. It was always carried out with great faithfulness too. The Father’s will and the fulfilling of it were as vital as food was to physical life.

“My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me,
and to finish His work.”
John 4:34

What greater joy could there be than to report to the Father one day soon, and say, “It is finished!” Jesus looked forward with joy at seeing His Father once again! Shouldn’t the Disciples be happy for Him that this was going to be the case?
The context of the joy that He spoke of was with reference to His Father. Once again, the Father’s Name was mentioned. And in deep humility and love, Jesus also whispered, “My Father is greater than I” (John 14:28).
In the Divine plan of salvation, Jesus would take on the garb of flesh. And in this human garb, he freely admitted to His Father being “greater”, with deep joy.