John 14:1-14


"Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it." (John 14:1-14 ESV)


The Way, The Truth, and The Life

In John 14, Jesus speaks words of comfort and assurance to His disciples. He begins by urging them not to be troubled, but to trust in God and in Him. He promises that He is going to prepare a place for them in His Father's house and will return to bring them to Himself. When Thomas expresses confusion about where Jesus is going, Jesus makes one of His most profound statements: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (v. 6). This declaration reveals the exclusivity and centrality of Christ in salvation.

Jesus is not merely a guide who shows the way to God; He is the Way. He is not just a teacher of truth; He is the embodiment of Truth. And He is not simply a source of life; He is Life itself. The path to God is not through human effort, moral achievement, or religious rituals. It is only through a relationship with Jesus Christ that we can be reconciled to God. This is a foundational truth for discipleship. As believers, we must not only know Jesus but follow Him as the only way to eternal life with the Father.

Scriptures to Study:

John 10:9, Acts 4:12, 1 Timothy 2:5, Colossians 3:4


Seeing the Father Through the Son

When Philip asks Jesus to "show us the Father," Jesus responds by pointing out that to know and see Him is to know and see the Father. Jesus is the perfect revelation of God the Father. He makes it clear that He is not independent of the Father; rather, He is in perfect union with Him. "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father" (v. 9). This highlights the profound truth of the Trinity—Jesus is fully God, and His words and works are the Father's words and works.

For disciples, this means that to grow in our relationship with Christ is to grow in our understanding of who God is. Everything Jesus does reflects the heart and character of the Father. As we study Jesus’ life and teachings, we are being introduced to the nature of God Himself. The more we know Jesus, the more we understand the love, holiness, and power of God.

Scriptures to Study:

John 1:18, Colossians 1:15, Hebrews 1:1-3, 2 Corinthians 4:6


Empowered for Greater Works

In verses 12-14, Jesus makes a stunning promise: those who believe in Him will not only do the works that He has done, but even greater works. This promise is connected to the fact that Jesus is going to the Father and will send the Holy Spirit to empower His disciples. These "greater works" are not necessarily more miraculous in nature but point to the expansive, worldwide impact the disciples will have through the power of the Holy Spirit. After Jesus’ ascension, the gospel would spread to the ends of the earth, and many would come to faith in Christ.

This is a reminder that discipleship is not merely a personal journey; it is a call to participate in God's mission. Through the Holy Spirit, believers are empowered to continue Jesus’ ministry—proclaiming the gospel, healing the broken, and making disciples of all nations. Our reliance on the Spirit and faith in Christ's authority allow us to participate in these greater works for the glory of God.

Scriptures to Study:

Acts 1:8, Ephesians 3:20-21, Matthew 28:18-20, John 16:7


Summary of Key Points


Life Application Questions