Today’s Reading: John 14:6-17
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!” — John 14:6-7
The disciples were confused. Thomas spoke up — How can we know the way if we don’t don’t where you are going? Jesus replied — You know the way because you know me and I am the way. Philip was next. “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied” (14:8). Don’t you know who I am?! Try to understand. If you know me, you know the Father because the Father is in me.
“Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.” — John 14:10-11
The disciples had seen Jesus heal the sick, raise the dead, feed the multitudes, calm the storm, and more. It was important that they take their experience of Jesus and allow it to build not just their faith but also their understanding. Just as Jesus was able to do all of these things because the Father was in him, the disciples would be able to do even more if they could just fully believe!
“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it! — John 14:12-14
Here is a verse that has been misinterpreted over and over again. We have to consider the context in order to discover the promise. Jesus would continue to do amazing things on earth, but he would be doing it through his disciples — through those whom he had called, those who believed, and those who lived out their faith through their obedience.
“If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.” – John 14:15-17
The Holy Spirit was already among them and would soon be living within them, working through them so that they could continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus. And the same applies to us today. Jesus wants to do miraculous things in the lives of those around us, but it requires our faith and our obedience. No one can find their way to the Father except through Jesus, and he has called us to carry that message to those who are lost — to introduce them to Jesus so that they, too, can be filled with the Holy Spirit and be available for Jesus to work through.
If you know me, if you believe in me, if you love me, if you obey me, ask for anything in my name and I will do it. When the Holy Spirit lives in us, we are available to be used by God for the sake of His Kingdom. Praise be to the One who lives in us and works through us. To God be the glory! Great things He has done and continues to do. Amen.