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The Gospel of John
Northwest London Christian Church
Series

Background to John’s Gospel

John Chapter 14
“Here’s the deal,” Jesus says to his disciples, “It’s better for you if I clear off rather than stick
around.” (Jn 16.7 - my rough translation!). How can this be? Here is the miracle-working, Word-of-
God-speaking Messiah - the one prophesied and longed-for. Surely it would be better for all concerned
if he was here for ever on the earth. Perhaps you feel the same. Wouldn’t it have been better to live
while Jesus was walking around? Well according to Jesus, the answer is “No”! John 14 tells us why.
Readying a Room – vv. 1 - 4
In first century Palestine it was common when a son married to build another room onto his father’s
house. He and his new bride would be attached to the family while having their own living space. In
this way a central courtyard developed as an estate was constructed that grew into a large compound
called an ‘insula’. The word Jesus uses in verse 2 is the same word as was used to denote these
single room dwellings (‘monai’ in Greek). This image strengthens the teaching of Jesus that he wants a
personal relationship with us – but at the same time as building a community of believers (called the
church). Unless he left he couldn’t go and prepare our room. This world is not our home.
Revealing the Road – vv. 5 - 7
The early Christians were called followers of “the Way” (Acts 9.2, 19.9, 12, 22.4, 24.14, 22). To make
sure they were on the right way, three disciples ask questions. Thomas, Philip and Judas (not Iscariot)
want to know more about this ‘way’. Jesus says he is that way. This is an uncomfortable teaching for
some. It didn’t seem to bother the apostles, but in our pluralist society it bothers many. It is an
exclusivist teaching, whether we like it or not. Jesus is stating that he is the only one who can provide
saving access and fellowship to the Father. This is clearly the understanding of the apostles, for that is
the message they took wherever they went (Acts 4.12). Our society values ‘tolerance’ above all other
values (how many times have we heard in political election campaigns today that the various parties
want to build a ‘more tolerant society’). Jesus did not come to build a more tolerant society. Rather, he
came to build a more loving family of people transformed by the love of God who could show others the
way to Him. We are called to love people with whom we disagree on ethics, morals and doctrine, but
we are not called to accept all claimed truths as equally valid. As someone said, ‘pluralism accepts no
absolute truth claims other than its contention that there are no absolute truth claims’.

Really Intimate Relationship – vv. 8 - 11

John shows us repeatedly the defining characteristic of Jesus’ relationship with God – love expressed
in perfect obedience. The best way of communicating this is, “the Father is in me, and I am in the
Father.” (Jn 10.38). What was exclusive to the relationship between Jesus and the Father is now
available for every disciple! It comes through the Spirit that could not be distributed until Jesus had
been glorified. It is better if Jesus goes and the Spirit comes – then all can enjoy the intimacy that Jesus
had with God. The fact that Jesus is not physically around prevents an unhealthy focus on an individual
(how many of us could develop an intimate relationship with Jesus if he was still in the Middle East
today? Some religions still insist on providing a ‘figure-head’, but it’s not hard to see the dangers
involved.). Followers of Christ avoid the opposite danger of individualism by expressing the
characteristic mark of those who share this intimacy with Christ through the Spirit by loving one other as
Christ loved them. For a fascinating and inspiring study, why not look at the passages in John’s Gospel
about being “In” such as (for starters), 6.56, 8.44, 14.10-11, 17, 17.21-23. Other useful passages would
include, Jer 31.33-34, Ezek 37.14-27 & 1 Pet 5.14.

May you be blessed as you do your own digging in the diamond mines of John 14!

Malcolm Cox