This transcript was generated using AI technology and may contain inaccuracies. For the most accurate information and context, please refer to the original audio recording.
The Farewell Discourse: John 14
Please turn to John 14. We are looking at a short series in relation to the coming season of Easter. Holy Week starts this Sunday, and the season of Lent historically precedes Easter to focus our attention on Christ’s atonement and the work He came to accomplish.
As we set our minds on that, there is no better place to look than what Jesus’ mind was set on as He approached Easter. We are looking at a section from His “Farewell Discourse”—the time He spent with the disciples in the Upper Room during the Last Supper.
“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:15-18)
The Parting Gift
Usually, when someone leaves a company after 25 or 50 years, they are given a gold watch or an anniversary gift. The parting gift normally goes to the person who is leaving. But in this instance, Jesus is the one going away, yet He is the one giving the gifts.
As Jesus approached the cross, His disciples were predominantly on His mind. However, the disciples didn’t realize He was leaving. To them, this was an abrupt change in direction. Jesus gives them this information in advance so that when it happens, they will believe it was part of the plan.
The gift He gives them isn’t a substance or a force; it is a person. He says in verse 26 that He is sending an Advocate, a Counselor, the Holy Spirit.
More of Jesus, Not Less
Most people think that when someone goes away, you get less of them. Jesus says the opposite: “Because I go away, you get more of me.”
In John 14:12, He says, “Whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” This is why, after the resurrection, He tells Mary Magdalene not to hold onto Him. We often think physical proximity is the greatest form of connection, but Jesus argues that His spiritual presence through the Holy Spirit is a “greater” presence.
The Number One Attraction
I once met a woman who worked as a character at Disney World. I asked her who the most visited character was, assuming it was Mickey Mouse. She said, “Nope. It’s Cinderella.” People stand in massive lines just to be near her, to touch her, or to get a picture.
We have an internal affection for physical proximity. We see this with the woman who wanted to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment. We see it in people who travel to Augusta just to “touch the grass” at The Masters.
But Jesus is saying: “You don’t have to touch me to have me.” His physical presence was limited to one place at one time, but His spiritual presence is available to all.
The Paradox of Self
Jesus gives us more of Himself so that we can have less of ourselves.
The paradox of the Gospel is that having “less of you” actually leads to the “greatest you.” The more we de-center ourselves, the more we become our fullest selves. Jesus says, “I will not leave you as orphans.” He isn’t abandoning us; He is empowering us.
Love and Obedience
Jesus says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” In the Gospel, love and obedience are inextricably connected. You cannot have one without the other.
At its root, obedience is de-centralizing “me” for the sake of another. * When you love a child, you de-center your own needs.
-
In a marriage or friendship, love moves away from “what I want” toward the other person.
This isn’t out of obligation; it’s a symbiotic relationship. Religion often teaches “do these things to get this result,” but the Gospel is about being so enamored with Christ that you naturally move toward His will.
Making a Home
In verse 23, Jesus says: “My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.”
When we think of “nesting” in a home, we think of minor repairs or decorations. But Jesus wants to turn the “fixer-upper” of our souls into a palace where He can dwell. He takes all His resources and creativity to make His people a beautiful dwelling place.
The Role of the Advocate
The Holy Spirit acts as our Advocate (an attorney or counselor).
-
He argues to our spirit: He reminds us daily that we are children of God when we forget our identity.
-
He argues to the Father: When we sin, the Advocate doesn’t just ask for mercy; he appeals to justice. He reminds the Father that the debt has already been paid by Jesus.
The Spirit of Truth frees us from the lies we tell ourselves about our sin and our position with God. This is the source of the peace that “frees our hearts from trouble.”