Jn 14-2

How to follow Jesus: In the Spirit of truth

Read: John 14:12-31

Context: In the preceding passages of chapters 13 & 14, facing his own imminent death, Jesus focused on preparing his disciples for their future ministry as servant leaders. Besides the fruit of humility and forgiveness, he said they need faith in Him to not let their hearts be troubled, and to pray in the Spirit and complete the work of love that he began (Jn 14:12-14). They can and will do this, not because of any superiority in themselves, but solely because Jesus went to the Father and answers to humble prayers, v13-14. Verses 15-31 now explain how Jesus could go away and yet be closer than ever in the person of the Holy Spirit. Nothing but love for Jesus and his word, and the resulting relationship with God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit provide the motivation and strength to keep the commandments of Jesus and do his will (v23-24).

1) When Jesus talked about keeping his commandments, did he mean less or rather more than the 10 commandments, v15+21? cf Jn 15:12-13 => Why are His commands about love and servant leadership so much harder and unnaturally ‘extra-terrestrial’ compared to “Eye-for-an-eye” justice?
2) Jesus said (v15): “If you love me, you will keep my commandments”. Do you read this as a command, or rather as a promise?
  • What difference would it make if Jesus would have used the imperative (must keep) instead of the future tense (will keep)?
  • How does such obedience differ both from lawlessness and from a legalism that tries to earn God’s love or his presence through our own good works? [cf Tit 2:11-14 Trained by grace…therefore zealous in good works]
3) Jesus also said (v21): “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me…”. What does v21 add to what Jesus already said in v15?
  • What do you think of someone who says (s)he loves you, but then consistently ignores your wishes?
  • How does Jesus distinguish counterfeit from genuine love?
4) Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit as a helper, v16: But to help with what, v15?
  • Should he not have called him the Spirit of love in that context?
    • Why is he needed as a Spirit of truth when it comes to loving?
  • What difference does it make whether or not this Spirit dwells in you? Do you think your own experience of the Spirit is inferior to what is described in Jn 14:17?
5) v19-20: What time was Jesus referring to when they will see him again? [Jn 16:19-23 explains that Jesus speaks of heaven; until then he will remain invisible, cf 1Jn 4:20; Lk 17:22; 2Pet 1:19; Rev 22:4]
  • Jesus promised that until then he would not leave his disciples as orphans. What may tempt us to question this promise and to even feel orphaned?
  • Until then, how can our relationship with Jesus become more intimate, v21?
  • What limits our sense of union with Christ?
    • Where does Jesus point us to search if we want to grow in it, vv23+26?
6) Jesus said in v19: “Because I live, you also will live”. Why did he say that? Has this anything to do with the Holy Spirit?
  • What has the Holy Spirit to do with the life that Jesus talked about here? And with the lifestyle? cf Gal 5:16; 5:25; Ro 7:6
  • Why did Jesus have to be raised from the dead and ascend to heaven first before the Holy Spirit could be poured out and enable that kind of life? cf Jn 16:14-15; Acts 2:33; Gal 3:14
7) Personal and application
  • Does the way we think and talk of the Holy Spirit reflect that truth at all? E.g. is that truth compatible with prayers for fresh ‘outpourings of the Spirit’? Why or why not?
  • How should we pray for the work of the Holy Spirit instead? cf Eph 1:17; 3:16
  • Can you think of practical ways to raise your consciousness of how all Christian life, experience, virtue and good works are in fact the life of Christ in us?

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