Jesus had shared the Feast of the Passover with the disciples, washed their feet, dealt with their pride, false ambitions, self-confidence and lack of humility.  They were still preparing themselves to be leaders in what was to be the establishment of the ‘kingdom of God’ in great power and glory.  They were still preoccupied with their dreams of the glory awaiting them in the coming kingdom.

The devil had entered Judas and Jesus had dismissed him, so that Judas could continue and complete the betrayal of the Master.

Understandably, the disciples were somewhat confused, perplexed and saddened, for from Jesus' words, he did not plan to setup the kind of ‘kingdom of God’ for which they had hoped and planned. It certainly did not sound like Jesus was about to establish an earthly kingdom that would overthrow the Romans, make the Jewish nation the most powerful on earth and lift them individually to great political and religious influence and control.  The way Jesus was talking meant that they would not be masters of the universe.  They would not be free from the oppression of the religious authorities.

The disciples had come to believe that Jesus was Messiah, the promised Savior.  They had been taught all their lives that Messiah would establish the greatest kingdom of Israel imaginable, but here he was washing their feet and telling them that his trusted friend had lifted up his heel against him. A ‘trusted friend’ was now part of a rebellion aimed at killing him and that something dreadful was about to happen to him, which would lead to him being taken away from them.

They knew very well that Jesus was in mounting danger and that the high priests and rulers of the Jews were determined to put him to death. In addition, the disciples found Jesus undermining their self confidence and ambition and they were troubled.  The world suddenly seemed to have gone crazy.

There was Jesus telling them that he was going away and when Simon Peter pressed him on the point, Jesus told them bluntly that he could not follow him where he was going, but that he would follow him some time afterwards. The disciples did not like the direction their Lord was taking.  This sounded like a talk about separation and death.

And so Peter had challenged Jesus:

“Lord, why cannot I follow thee now?

I will lay down my life for thy sake.”

Instead of telling him where he was going directly, Jesus questioned the strength of Peter’s loyalty, then turned everything around and predicted that Peter would betray him three times before the cock crowed.

This was a bitter pill for brave, self-confident Peter to swallow. Jesus’ prediction of was an immense shock to Peter, for he did not believe that he was capable of such a dastardly deed as betraying his Messiah and Lord.

They all could remember that Jesus had repeatedly told them in different ways that he would ‘give up his life for the sheep’.  They might also have been mindful of the predictions of Isaiah 52 and 53 and Isaiah's plaintive cry:

“Who hath believed our report?”

So no wonder the disciples were confused and greatly troubled.

Jesus' aimed his words at answering the troubled hearts of the disciples. Note however that Jesus’ words threw them off-balance and even when they heard what he was saying, their shock and confusion was such that when Jesus was arrested, they ran for their lives and did not try to die for their Savior.

Note also that Jesus’ words to the disciples were not intended to give them immediate comfort.  This was not a “fast relief” or “quick relief” pill.  Instead, this was intended to produce long-term joy.

Jesus’ words have great relevance to us today when we are in any kind of trouble and are confused and perplexed by what we hear and what we face.  Remember that no one is immune to feeling troubled at times when they are exposed to pressure and danger. The apostles went through times of great peril and they too trembled. Even Jesus was “deeply troubled in spirit”. 

Jesus in this text, tells us how we can overcome stress.

So let us ask ourselves the questions.  Are we looking for instant prosperity and pleasure?  Is a heavenly Santa Claus our idea of a Savior?  Do we look at the words of Jesus for “quick relief”, or do we find comfort and peace in his words, because we know that they will take us into a kingdom of eternal joy at a time of His choosing?

Are we to tell people that things are not so bad, that they will not in fact get worse?  Is the prospect for the future frightening?  Should we look at the future as something to be feared or as something to which we should look forward with great anticipation?  When we apply the principles of this passage can we look forward to the future with faith rather than fear?

Let us understand that our lesson is aimed at showing us that Jesus’ earthly sojourn with his disciples, was intended to produce a temporary though exceptional relationship.

The more permanent relationship with him would follow his soon coming death, burial, resurrection and return to his Father in Heaven.  The physical relationship was good but they would have to come to relate to him in a very different way. They would have to come into the same relationship with him that he had with his heavenly Father. 

So we too are invited to focus on the permanent, spiritual relationship with Jesus and the Father.

Today we look at how Jesus provided a cure for troubled hearts, how he rules out fear and despair and replace them with faith and hope.  We will examine the nature of this cure.

We will see the answer to Peter's question “Where are You going?”  and to the question “Where are we going?”

We will also look at how what seems to be “bad news” is in reality “good news”.

We will see how it is possible for us to do an almost impossible mission in the service of Christ, the nature of the privileges we have in Christ and the nature of the great adventure in following Christ. We will see how we should look at ourselves as God prepares us, like he prepared the disciples, to work in His kingdom.

Since we all face a great deal of stress in life here are useful instructions to manage stress.  It even teaches us how to deal with the dreadful facts about death and how to turn our fearful thoughts about death into comforting thoughts.

This text also leads us into the importance of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  He is the promised Advocate, the Comforter sent by Jesus.

So we are reminded that we have friends in high places.  We are told that we should look forward, into the future.  The mission that we have been given will succeed.  The days might seem to be dark, and troubles might abound, but we are told about “Home”, or “Home with the Father” and the exact nature of this Home.

As we read the lesson text, let us pay special attention to the fact that in these fourteen verses there are fourteen references to the Father. At the same time note that every time Jesus speaks of the Father, he places himself right with him and pictures himself as being united with the Father. 

So here we must consider carefully who the Father is, the nature of the union that Jesus has with the Father and what it will be like to be Home with the Father and with Jesus the Son.

THE TEXT

Verse 1.   The scene was the Upper Room, Jesus and his disciples were celebrating Passover, the ‘last supper’.  These were the last hours of Jesus’ earthly ministry; in a few short hours he would undergo the excruciating ordeal of crucifixion.

Judas had already been dismissed from the group, to go and do his dirty deed.  It was a time when one could reasonably expect that the disciples would seek to comfort and console Jesus; however, we see that it is Jesus who is the one that is comforting his disciples.

Of course the disciples were understandably perplexed, for their friend and master who had protected them for the last three years and for whom they had left family and business was about to leave them. They had no illusions that the rulers of Israel would seek to destroy them and so Jesus' words about leaving them struck terror in their hearts.

They likely thought that all the work Jesus had accomplished would soon be undone, that they were unworthy and not ready to face the trials without Jesus.  Even if they might survive and escape the persecution from the leaders of the Jews, they could not bear the thought of living without him.  They were in extreme distress.

It is clear that the disciples to this point, had not fully grasped the ‘suffering servant’ aspect of Messiah’s ministry.  The ‘two’ on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-27) showed their lack of understanding and their misconceptions about Messiah.  They spilled out their true feelings to the cloaked Jesus saying:

In a time when the heart is in emotional turmoil, the way to find true comfort is through faith in God.

The use of the plural indicates that Jesus was speaking to all the disciples and not just Peter.  His “Let not” tells them that they had the key to minimizing their stress and that they themselves, individually, could do something about the problem of their troubled hearts.  They could let the ‘troubled heart’ condition continue or they could prevent it from happening.  So we are told that there's a way out of distress. 

Note that Jesus did not say that it was wrong for them to be troubled, or that they should be cheerful and behave macho, with a confident spirit.  He tells them how they can overcome the problem of the troubled heart.

He knows that he can hand the leadership of the kingdom to them and that they will not fail.  So he gives them the remedy for heart trouble in the next two phrases.

"Ye believe in God, believe also in Me ".

There are several different ways to interpret what Jesus means but the variety of interpretations, whether Jesus is asking a question or making a statement, does not alter the basic indication from Jesus, that they did believe in God and that they should  similarity believe in him.

When we look at the context we realize that Jesus is about to be rejected by his own people and their faith that he was Messiah and Lord would be affected by extreme doubt.  The disciples did not understand the effect that this could have on them and so Jesus is making the point, that faith in Him cannot be separated from faith in God. In effect Jesus is saying that the greatest expression of faith in God is to believe in Him, Jesus.

Remember that the disciples would now be under immense temptation to not believe in Jesus as the Christ. So Jesus was telling them, that just as they believed in God the Father even though they did not see him or was able to touch him, in the same way they would have to believe in Him, Jesus, even though he would go away and be “unseen”. 

Though they would not see him, they should realize that he would be with them in as real a way, just as when he was actually dwelling with them.  Actually, his presence would be even more real when he was away.  He would make provision for that.

Let us remember and be careful about the problem posed here, for people of God seem to have difficulty with the idea of the “closeness” of God.  They want a God that is near to them, one that they can see and touch and so they create idols that they can bow down to and offer food and incense. They have great difficulty with a God that is unseen.

They have great difficulty with understanding the nature of God and that God is “Spirit”, that He is everywhere and that they cannot be separated from His presence.

It was very important for Jesus to use this opportunity to indicate the intimate and indissoluble union of the Father with the Son, as expressed in verses 7-12.  Both the Father and the Son would be with them and be much closer to them that they could imagine.

Verse 2.   So Jesus spells out what belief in the Father and in him means. “In my father's house there are many mansions”.

The word rendered “mansions” means either the act of dwelling in any place (Joh_14:23, “we will make our abode with him”), or it means “the place where one dwells” or dwelling places.

Jesus speaks of his father's house and is now examining the nature of their future. In this scenario death would likely mean very little, except that they would be with the Father if or when death occurred.

Note that one such as Jesus and the Father would not prepare a dwelling place for another person if they were not confident that that person would come to the dwelling place.  So this was tremendous reassurance that they had a secured future with friends in high places.

Some like to quote this verse in a materialistic sense but as noted earlier the word translated ‘mansions’ refers to ‘lodging-places’; ‘places to stay’ and not to elaborate houses.

There are many mansions hence there is room enough for us and all the children of the God.  Jesus is going to make ready these mansions for our reception; the dwelling place where joy will never cease, a place our body will not see corruption, a place where we will enjoy the eternal security provided by our Lord.

In comforting the disciples, Jesus would have their minds directed to the heavenly reality and not focused on the earthly events that would soon transpire.

Jesus assures his disciples that his going always is real but so is his definite preparation to receive them in his Father's house, so that they would be with them in a permanent dwelling place.  He would not lie or conceal the truth, in order to give them temporary relief from their distress. 

Jesus only speaks the truth and we can take comfort in the times of greatest distress, because he also has the power to perform what the truth proclaims and the power to bring every promise to fruition.

So here we see Jesus telling the disciples about the life that they have. 

They will be in His Father's house. 

They belong to him and no one else. 

There are many rooms in his Father's house. 

They will definitely be in a close relationship with him and with his Father. 

Where the Father is and where He is there they will be. 

This revelation is absolutely certain.

Verse 3.   The greatest comfort would be to know that Jesus would not only go to prepare a place for them, but that he would return to receive them, so that never again would they be separated.

There is a place awaiting all the Saints of God, a personal reception by Jesus and a guarantee that we will for ever be with Lord.  What could be more comforting?  Even in the face of death, the truth and promises of God are the underpinning for the weary soul.

Creation is running down and its mechanism will expire.  So Jesus needs to have a new universe with a new set of laws, built on totally different principles to the current universe.  This will be the ‘new Heaven and the new earth’.  When he's ready he will wrap up this one like a scroll and put the new creation in place.

Hence the specific promise.  The tomb is empty and he has no grave anywhere on earth.  He will go away and he will certainly come back.  The angels told this to the disciples when Jesus ascended.  Jesus’ return is the hope of the world.

Jesus is speaking of a personal return.  He is not saying that an angel or anybody else will come, but that He will return and take his people to be with him.

This is a promise from the lips of Jesus himself.  He will come, receive believers in him unto himself and he will keep them with him wherever he is.  This will answer all their fears of persecution and their fear of death.  These are most comforting words.  They have encouraged believers throughout the centuries and will encourage believers in the future.

Note however the clear statement that where Jesus is, is where heaven is.  One very wise person said:

“You do not go to Heaven to find Christ.  You go to Christ to find Heaven.”

Verse 4.   It is Jesus' statement here which triggers a reaction by the disciples that leads him to give great additional information about fundamental truths which to us are quite mysterious.  He has told the disciples that he is going to his Father's house to prepare a place for them.  His destination is the Father.

This did not sound as if Jesus intended to bring about political change then and there and establish a visible kingdom of Israel in great power and glory. That was their goal but it seemed as if Jesus’ goal was quite different.

The disciples acted surprised, as if Jesus had not told them on many occasions the purpose for which he came and what must happen to him. They certainly had forgotten Isaiah 52 and 53.

As believers we often deny or resist the truth of the facts confronting us when it seems unpleasant. When circumstances or events happen in a manner that is acceptable to us and when the demands are not too great, then we have no problem accepting the truth.  However, when our will is not in tune with the will of God and when the road gets rough, fear express itself in the form of doubt; and doubt hinders our ability to see the complete will of God. (Luke 18:34.)

Thus when Jesus says to them, you know where I'm going and you know exactly how to get there, the human reaction kicked in.  They did know where he was going and they actually knew the way, but of course their mindset was such that they were not putting things together properly, getting through the fog and fear, and showing that they understood what they had been taught.

“From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day,” Matthew 16:21.  (See also Luke 9:22,  Luke 18:31-33.)

Verse 5 .   Jesus’ statement certainly elicited a response, with the disciples that we call the doubting one; Thomas spoke first. Here he should be called honest Thomas.  At least he was logical.  If he did not know where Jesus was going, they would not know the way.  Thomas’ statement reveals a mind preoccupied with ones own notions and preconceptions; these often block ones ability to plainly see the truth.

It is probable that Thomas and the other disciples continued to hope for a temporal kingdom, such misguided notions would then be in conflict with the word and will of God, thus uncertainty arises when we can not fit our ideas into the will of God.

So it is not that Jesus had not spoken plainly about these things, Thomas however, was not operating on the same wavelength. He had put certain teachings out of his mind and so he and other disciples demonstrated a lack of understanding.

Verse 6.   Jesus' response was quite gentle and comforting with no rebuke but a simple statement.

The formation of faith in the heart of a believer is not easily accomplished, when competing with erroneous concepts of faith and malformed ideas.  Thus ones doctrine is extremely important. We are admonished over and over to study the word of God, to interpret it rightly and apply it in our lives. When we do so correctly then we will find approval in the eyes of God.

Jesus’ statement in verse six embodies an extremely important doctrine.  Most of the world's religions in some shape or form, teach the importance of finding ones way to God. Those however, who do not go by the way of Christ, are heading the wrong way and will not find the true God.

Thus Jesus is very patient and loving explains this essential doctrine once more for their benefit.  There is only one way to God and that is through knowing Jesus Christ. There is only one path, not multiple ways to God.

Note carefully the importance of this doctrine, for it is a challenge to all other world religions.  Those who attempt to find God without Christ are heading for a Christ-less eternity.  The statement is absolutely emphatic; it creates an impassable boundary for the proponents of religious tolerance.  Jesus makes no apology to those agitated by his doctrine.  As mentioned before, Jesus does not conceal the truth to satisfy the minds or emotions of men.

Interestingly those who advocate religious tolerance within the Christian community seem to ignore the fact that virtually every other world religion has a point of exclusion. By this secular definition, they have no tolerance for the true Christian.

The fact remains that Jesus’ own statement declares himself to be ‘the way and the truth and the life’.  The destination is the Father, fellowship and communion with Him.  The destination is a Person.  There is only one true way to the Father.  This is through Jesus.  There is no other way.

This is the sixth “I AM” statement as recorded in the book of John (6:35; 8:12; 10:7,9 10:11,14; 11:25; 15:1,5), and is in response to Thomas’ question.  Note also that all the “I AM” statements reveal the divine nature of Jesus.  The previous statements differ in that Jesus used tangible objects such as the door, the living water, the bread of life, to express divine truth.

Jesus is the one and only way to God the Father, He is the truth and through him only, can one obtain eternal life. He is literally the truth. Proverbs 8 calls him the “wisdom”.  Colossians 2 tells us that in him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. If anyone declares another way it is not the truth and will not lead to life.

He is the Way –means the truth that he teaches allows us to obtain a knowledge of God and is the direction that we must follow and he is our guide along the way.  But it is really more than that, for it is only when we are “in” him that we are going to be “in” or “with” the Father.  We must have the “righteousness of Christ” to ever come close to the God.  We must abide in him.

Thus we should know the way -

1.         By his doctrine.  “Then Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the Words of eternal life.” John 6:68

2.         By his example, “For you were not called to this? For Christ also suffered on our behalf, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps,” 1Peter 2:21 

3.         By his sacrifice, “the Holy Spirit signifying by this that the way into the Holiest of all was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing.  For it was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices that could not make him who did the service perfect as regards the conscience,   which stood only in meats and drinks, and different kinds of washings and fleshly ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.  But when Christ had become a high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building nor by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered once for all into the Holies, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” Hebrews 9:8-12

4.         By his Spirit, “However, when He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth. For He shall not speak of Himself, but whatever He hears, He shall speak. And He will announce to you things to come.” John 16:13 

If one can not truthfully say that they adhere to this doctrine, follow the example of Jesus, accept his atoning sacrifice on the cross for the payment of ones sins and are guided by the Holy Spirit; then one can not claim to be in the way.

He is the Truth: Truth is the representation of things as they truly are; Jesus is then the source of all truth and communicates the truth of salvation and of God and of all eternal things in the most perfect manner.  Moses through the law was only able to present a shadow of that truth.   Though the law was perfect, its purpose was to direct us to the one who gave the law and through whom salvation comes.

“The Law of Jehovah is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of Jehovah is sure, making the simple wise.” Psalms 19:7 

 “For the Law came through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.  No one has seen God at any time; the Only-begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.” John 1:17, 18

This truth opposes all false religion, but dispenses grace to all who embrace it; it exposes the deeds of an evil heart, but brings peace to those of a pure conscience.  Jesus is all that the above text espouses. He is the truth.

He is the Life:

Jesus is the life that not only saves us from death, but He destroys death itself.  “Jesus said to her, I am the Resurrection and the Life! He who believes in Me, though he die, yet he shall live.”

John 11:25 

In Chapter 11 Jesus demonstrated his absolute authority and sovereignty by restoring to life one who had been dead for four days and whose body had already begun to decay.  The ability to give life is God’s alone, thus in this awesome demonstration of power the divine nature of Jesus was displayed.

The Scripture gives the plain assurance of eternal life to those who believe in Jesus.

No man cometh unto the Father:  …By any other doctrine, by any other merit, or by any other intercession than mine.

“And there is salvation in no other One; for there is no other name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Verse 7.   Without Christ’s declaration of the Father, one cannot know God.  Jesus explains that he is in unity with the Father and by seeing him they had seen what God was like and had come to understand His nature.

"If you had known me..." by this statement Jesus doesn't mean to imply that they were not his true disciples, but that they had not yet come to a full and accurate understanding of who he was and for what purpose he came.  In fact, it would not be until his death and resurrection that they would receive this full understanding and be empowered to continue the Ministry of Christ and the preaching of the gospel to the glory of God.

The ignorance of the disciples in this part is apparent in their lack of understanding concerning the purpose of God in the death of Jesus.  Ones lack of faith or incomplete faith, severely hinders ones ability to comprehend the plan of God.  Therefore Jesus painstakingly brings his disciples into a deeper understanding of the word of God.

The approaching trial, death by crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, would be the ultimate turning point in the faith of his disciples.  From this point forward they would understand the Counsels of God, the purpose of the death of Christ, as demonstrated power in resurrection.

Jesus then says, now that you know me you know the Father.  From henceforth and that is following the death and resurrection, you understand the counsel of God, because since you have seen and known me you have seen the Father and known the Father.

Verse 8.   It seems strange that immediately after Jesus' explanation to Thomas, that Philip would ask the identical question - show us the Father and it is enough for us.  Phillip’s question is generally interpreted as coming from disciples that misunderstood the sense in which by seeing Jesus they had seen the Father.  This was not a further enquiry as to who the Father was. 

Some believe that it is a request similar to that of Moses, to see the glory of God. “And he said, I beseech You, let me see Your glory” Ex. 33:18.  Unlike Peter, James and John, Philip and the other disciples were not present at the transfiguration of Christ.

It was not wrong to ask for evidence, however Jesus goes on to explain that Philip had received ample evidence and in particular Jesus who is God incarnate is all the evidence that one should require.

Jesus takes this opportunity to solidify Philip’s understanding, to increase his faith and set the expectations of all believers to come, to all those who have the same request.  My words and my works are enough.

Jesus taught a new kind of reasoning to the disciples, for he explained that it is not seeing which leads to believing, but it is ‘believing’ that leads to seeing.  The disciples therefore who had believed should have seen that the Father dwelt in Him, as he dwelt in the Father.

Verse 9.   So Jesus responds to Philip, how can you say such a thing?  How can you act as if you don’t know me and the Father?

Jesus is God incarnate, when we witness the work of Jesus, we witness the works of God, when we hear the words of Jesus, we hear the words of God, for they are one.

Jesus emphatically stresses this point, that he is the physical embodiment of God.  “For in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” Colossians 2:9 

To look upon Jesus and see the Father is not intended in a corporeal sense, one can not perceive the essence or substance of God with the natural eye, for God is Spirit and no man has ever seen God.

 “No one has seen God at any time; the Only-begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.” John 1:18 

Jesus then is the manifestation of God.  He, Jesus pre-existed all creation as the eternal Word, who was in the beginning with God and was God and by him did all created things come into being.

(John 1:1-3, 14).  Divine confirmation that Jesus was Messiah and had come to reveal the Father is overwhelming.

The miracle of the incarnation was the preparation of a physical body for the eternal Word, whereby he took on the form of a ‘servant’ setting aside his glory, that he may dispense the duties of a faithful high priest and make lasting atonement for his people.

Verse 10.   Throughout the book of John there is an unmistakable emphasis that Jesus is God incarnate (v 11; 1:1-3, 14, 17, 18; 5:10-23, 26; 8:58; 9:35; 10:30, 38; 12:41; 17:1-5; 20; 28).  This being the case we note here Jesus’ own description of this incredible union or unity that he has with God.

These verses show an incredible and intimate union with God.

(John 5:17,19; 5:36; 10:30.)

Verse 12.   He that believeth on me - This promise has special reference to the apostles themselves.  They were full of grief and despair at the thought of Jesus leaving them.  Jesus in consoling them points to the great honour that would be given them and the assurance that God would never leave them, affording them the demonstration of his mighty power in their ministry.

All Christians have been given power to do greater works than the Lord Jesus, in the sense that since they have Christ within them, they can change lives mightily and grow the kingdom of God. This does not mean automatically that every Christian will have the power to raise the dead or necessarily restore sight to one born blind.  The greatest miracle imaginable is to be used by God to change lives.  Many have done just that and produced fruit in much greater numbers than existed at the time of Jesus’ resurrection.

 It is a general promise that greater works than he performed should be done by his followers, without specifying that all his followers would be instrumental in doing them.

The works that I do - The miracles of healing the sick, raising the dead, etc. This was done by the apostles in many instances.

(See Act 5:15; 19:12; 13:11; 5:1-10.)

This does not the limit God's ability to use other believers in a powerful way, the gifts of the spirit are alive and active today.  These gifts are not for the glory of man, but the glory of God; and for the edification and growth of the body of Christ.

Greater works than these shall he do”.  The word “greater” refers to the extent of the effects of the miracles performed by the apostles, not to the demonstration power used to perform the miracles.  Power comes only from Jesus and so the apostles performed many miracles and even raised the dead on a few occasions.  This doesn't demonstrate greater power than exercised by Jesus.  The effects of the miracles performed by the apostles had a far greater impact than that of Jesus, for his ministry was confined to Judea and relatively few witnessed the direct impact of these miracles. 

After the resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit, the ministry of the apostles, their works and miracles, were witnessed by many nations and by them countless people have come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  In the book of Acts we learn that three thousand souls were added in one day.  So the word “greater” here is used, not to denote the absolute exertion of power, but the effect which the miracles would have on mankind. The word “works” probably means not merely miracles, but all the things that the apostles did that made an impression on mankind, including their travels, their labors and their doctrine.

Because I go to my father…   It was necessary that Jesus returned to the Father to be exalted, to receive the glory he had laid aside and to send the Holy Spirit, whose ministry would involve empowering the apostles to spread the gospel. John 14:26, 14:28; 16:7-14. The ascension of Jesus and his exaltation to the ‘right hand’ of God in Heaven, signifies his position as head all things in the church.

Verse 13.   Whatsoever ye shall ask…  Asking in the name of Christ means asking according to the will of Christ. One does not ask according to the flesh and expect God's blessing.  The Spirit has been given to glorify God, not any human person.  This verse has however been distorted and used for self-serving interests, manipulating the vulnerable and feeble faith of God’s children.  It is true of all Christians, that if we ask in faith and according to the will of God, He will hear us.

Many of our problems stem from wrong priorities; we may ask God, but we ask amiss, we may seek God, but only after seeking everything else.  God must be first in everything that we do – “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all things shall be added unto you…”

Equally important is the manner in which we ask. We should not expect to receive of God, if we doubt his willingness or power to provide the things that we ask.

The promises here refer to God’s provision of spreading the gospel.  Thus to ask in my name is to ask on the account of Jesus, anything pertaining to the gospel in which he is glorified– literally we ask of the Father the things Jesus would ask and therefore it will be granted us, based on the merit of the Son.

It must be stressed that God hears and answers prayers according to his will, that He may be glorified.  The work of the Apostles was for the glory of God and anything that they asked for pertaining to the fulfillment of His will was granted.  They endured suffering, despised the comfort and luxuries of the world, in order that they would faithfully spread the gospel, whereby people would be saved to glorify God.

Verse 14.   Jesus repeats what he essentially said in the last verse, so as to cement it in their minds.  He ultimately comforts them by assuring them that he would provide all the necessary resources to accomplish their task in his physical absence, without having him physically standing by their side.

In my name… does not mean simply tacking this phrase on to the end of our prayers, but that the believer’s prayer should be for Jesus purposes and the good of the kingdom, not for selfish reasons.  It means to rely on the merits of Jesus, not our own merit or worthiness.  The believer’s prayer should be in pursuit of God’s glory. When we truly seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness, God will lovingly provide all the temporal things for this life which we need and which He deems for our benefit without violating his will.

CONCLUSION         

Jesus has overcome troubles and fears and since we are in him, we are over-comers.  Where the Father dwells is a real place and there he has prepared a perfect home. Christ is the only way to this home of the Father and the only way to get there is to believe in Christ and have saving faith.  Fellowship with the Father and Son is the most blessed and pleasant experience imaginable.