Welcomed in to the loving fellowship of Father, Son and Holy Spirit (14:15-31)

How do you reassure your young child, if you have to go away for a while - say on a business trip, or a hospital visit? There will be various elements: promising them you will be back after three sleeps, maybe; placing them with people they trust; explaining why its necessary; answering any fears they have; promising to bring them somethng back when you return - and so on. The reassurance works, because your child knows they can trust what you say.

All of these elements are present in the way Jesus deals with the disciples' separation anxiety! He gives them (and us) many wonderful promises:-

• I am going to prepare a place for you, and will come and collect you once its ready (vss 2,3)

• You can still talk to me even while I'm away: I'll respond to your prayers (v13)

• The Holy Spirit will look after you, encourage & reassure you (vss16,17)

• I won't abandon you, I will come back - and life will have a new dimension (v19)

• You'll be joined with Me deeper than ever before, loved even more (v20)

• And, My Father's going to come and live with us too! He really loves you too (v23)

Last week we saw how Jesus used the disciples' own fears & questions to make His one-ness with Father God even more explicit (vss 1-14). In Christ's earthly life, God the Father has been present with them, speaking through Him and performing the miracles they've witnessed. Everything they've observed of Jesus's character, His grace and truth, is an exact image of the Father's heart. Coming to the Father is simply a case of living like Jesus, believing the truth He taught, and receiving the new kind of life He offers.

But now He goes on to open a broad new vista of life after His death and resurrection. Not only will He personally show Himself to them again, they will know God the Holy Spirit as an ever-present inner advocate; and they will experience direct, unmediated access to the Father's Presence and love.

The Holy Spirit: an inner Presence, and advocate (14:15-18)

They have known the Holy Spirit's presence with them, in Jesus. As Jesus had said to Nicodemus, you can hear the sound of a gale even though you can't see the wind directly. They had watched as Jesus spoke to the storm on the Sea of Galilee. They had seen the ways demons fled at His command. But now, says Jesus, you will know Him in you, in a way that non-believers can't. You'll receive Him, I will breathe Him into you (20:22) just as I breathed the breath of life into Adam at Creation. Just as the air in your lungs sustains your bodily life, the Spirit will sustain your spiritual life, your 'Zoe'.

Jesus describes the Spirit as 'another Helper' alternatively translated as 'advocate' or 'comforter'. The root meaning of the Greek refers to someone called alongside to help us. The same word - Paraclete - is used later (1Jn 2:1) to describe Jesus's future role in interceding for us with the Father when we sin: He is our 'Counsel for the defence' in Heaven's courtroom. Likewise, the Holy Spirit prays for us, through us, when we don't know how to pray (Rom 8:26)

When I worked as a GP, I would occasionally see a patient accompanied by their 'mental health advocate'. This was someone who would help them tell me clearly how they were suffering, and who could later explain to them about the diagnosis and treatment.

John the Baptist had prophesied that Jesus would baptise His people 'with the Holy Spirit and fire' (1:33, Matt 3:11). The radical effect of being filled with the Holy Spirit is shown in the transformation of Peter from someone who denied Christ when under pressure, to the bold, powerful preacher of the Day of Pentecost

Greek distinguishes between 'another of the same kind' and 'another of a different kind': the Spirit is the former. Just as Jesus has been teaching, reassuring and strengthening their faith, the Holy Spirit will too. Just as Jesus is the exact image of the Father, the Holy Spirit is just like Jesus. While Jesus has to leave to go to the Father, the Spirit will be present with them continuously and permanently,

This constancy of the Spirit's Presence is something we fail to appreciate. Yes, we may grieve Him by anger or unforgiveness; and we can quench His gifts by distrusting Him. But He is constantly present within us. We can ask Him to intervene as our advocate whenever we are struggling with things, like that patient's helper in my consulting room. Perhaps this is why Paul often refers to the fellowship of the Holy Spirit: He is our constant companion.

It is notable that Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as 'He'. Greek has three genders - he, she, and it - and usually a spirit is referred to as 'it'. But the Holy Spirit is just as much a person as Jesus is. We should not think of Him as some kind of impersonal force or vague influence. He speaks, has feelings, thinks & acts.

The thing most people struggle with, is the idea that a spirit can live within us. Yet we see this reality illustrated repeatedly in the gospel accounts of demonised people: the demon manifests itself by speaking through the person's voice or by acting through their body. (Our Western worldview largely prevents us recognising this, though it happens in first-world countries not just in 'darkest Africa'.). it seems that spirits can mingle within a human body. St Paul refers to our physical bodies as tents - temporary dwelling places for our spirits in this life - and there can be more than one spirit in the tent! And they each have a character or role - for example, lying spirits, or spirits of anger, or infirmity. All these unclean spirits hate the Presence of the Holy Spirit. But God intends us to be temples - dwelling places - for the Holy Spirit (2Cor 6:14-18).

But just as they can invade our human spirit, so the Holy Spirit can mingle with our spirit, teaching us wonderful truths about God directly into our innermost being (1Cor 2:9-12). In fact, the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. He is the Spirit who inspired all the authors of the Bible to write what they did (2Pet 1:20,21). We may struggle to explain to someone else, why or how we know the spiritual truths we know; and we may even struggle to understand the truths themselves. But we know that we know that we know, because He has taught us Spirit-to-spirit.

He also gives us the gift of discernment between truth and lies (1John 2:27), leading us into all truth throughout our lifetime. Sometimes as I read scripture or I hear a speaker explaining a scripture, I will sense the Holy Spirit bubbling up within me and witnessing to the truth of what I am hearing. When we are tempted to fear that maybe we aren't children of God after all, perhaps when we 've fallen into a recurrent temptation or the like, He will come and witness within our hearts to the truth of our adoption, enabling us to cry out 'Abba, Father' (Rom 8:15,16)

How do we, how can we, receive the Holy Spirit? Ultimately, it is not by anything we do, but by believing the promise Jesus gives us (Gal 3:2). The gift of the Spirit was promised by the Father way back in the times of Ezekiel and Jeremiah, as part of the New Covenant. As Jesus speaks, the fullness of the Spirit is present in Him. But once He returns to the Father, He will ask Him to pour out the long-awaited gift. The Spirit will 'proceed' from the Father and the Son, as the creeds say: though sent by Them, He also comes of His own volition, to be our Advocate.

The only requirement on their part, is to love Jesus and keep His commandments. They will need to obey Jesus's instruction to 'wait in the city' (Lk 24:49, Acts 1:4,5): in fact, when the Spirit finally comes, we find them in the exact same room where Jesus had made them this promise (Acts 1:13,14), waiting expectantly in united prayer. In the same way when we seek the Holy Spirit nowadays, there will often be period of prayer and devotional waiting before He comes, But the primary requirement is, to believe in the promise.

Union with Christ in His resurrection life (14:19-21)

Three days after the crucifixion, the disciples will see Jesus again (20:19) in that same room. The doors were locked to keep intruders at bay, and yet Jesus appeared and stood in their midst. From now on, until His second coming in glory, He will appear only to those who love Him. The world will see Him no more: but those who love and serve Him will see Him - and not just see Him, but know themselves joined to Him in a new level of existence: resurrection life. Because He lives on that plane, we also will. He is the vine, we are the branches. His sap will flow into us, producing heavenly fruit - the same character traits which are the glory of God.

We will know for certain, the unity of Son with Father; the eternal fathering of the Son by the Father, and the eternal obedience of the Son to the Father. We will know for certain the truth of the incarnation, that 'Jesus Christ is come in the flesh' (1Jn 4:2), but that He has now returned to the Father and is seated at His right hand, in the centre of the throne of God. And we will know that here on this earth, He is in us; but even more, that in the spiritual realms, we are in Him. God sees us as saints because we are 'in Christ', justified by His blood, His obedience to the cross. We are complete in Him (Col 2:9,10), lacking nothing necessary for life and godliness (2Pet 1:3). He is our wisdom. We are to 'seek the things which are above', where He is, rather than go after earthly pleasures.

Beyond the promise of a resurrection reunion with the Eleven, Jesus promises to manifest Himself to anyone who shows their love for Him in obedience to His commandments (v21) and treasuring His teaching (v23). (The word He uses in v23 is 'logos'; in other words, His teaching includes everything He is, as the Logos of God.) What does this mean? Not everyone has Damascus Road experiences, mountain-top transfigurations or personal theophanies: but any believer may claim this promise of Jesus to manifest Himself. To manifest means to uncover, to make visible, to put something beyond doubt, to cause to shine out: its meaning is very similar to the word 'revelation'.

We know that the Lord manifested Himself to Stephen as he was being stoned (Acts 7:56) and to Peter (Acts 10:13-15), and repeatedly to Paul (Acts 9:3-6; 18:9-10; 22:17-21; 23:11; 2Cor 12:1-5; 2Tim 4:16-17). And the whole Book of Revelation is 'the Revelation of Jesus Christ' (Rev 1:1) given through John by multiple visions of the Son of Man (Rev 1:9-19; 5:6-6:12; 14:1,14; 19:11-16; 21:5,6; 22:12-16).

Are these experiences only for the original apostles, or is Jesus's promise to anyone who knows and keeps His commandments out of love? Personally, I believe His promise still stands true. Philip Wiebe, who was chair of the Philosophy Department at Trinity Western University and a serious scholar, investigated twenty-eight modern-day visions of Jesus, which he examined from psychological, neuropsychological, mentalist, and other perspectives. He was convinced that in at least some of them, something transcendent had happened. Hugh Montefiore, a well-known New Testament scholar at Cambridge University and later bishop of the Church of England, converted to Christianity from Judaism at age sixteen because he had a vision in which Jesus appeared to him and told him to “follow me” – words that, at the time, the young Monefiore did not know were drawn from the New Testament.

Jesus also promises that He will make His dwelling-place with each individual believer (v23). His very last word to them before He ascended, was, 'Behold, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age'. To sum up then, Christ promises us spiritual union with Him, and indwelling; manifestation when there is a special need for revelation; and permanent presence with us. This is His all-encompassing answer to our separation anxiety!

Judas has one last question! (v22). Not Judas Iscariot, but his partner when they were sent out in pairs (Lk 6:16), who seems also to have been known as Simon the Canaanite (Matt 10:4). His question is this: "Why", (or How), "will You manifest Yourself just to us, and not the world?" He was presumably expecting Messiah's return to be one of great glory, visible to all nations as Jesus had taught them. Why would the risen Jesus skulk behind closed doors?

Jesus's answer is that such manifestations, whether resurrection appearances or subsequent epiphanies, are only for those who love Him and hold to His teaching (or 'logos'). The Son of God will never again subject Himself to the world's disbelief and taunts. Those who ignore or despise His word, ignore the fact that He is the Logos of God, sent by the Father. Their hearts are hardened against receiving such revelation, and once He has given Jesus the name above all names, God will not expose Him to rejection and humiliation any longer.

Knowing the Father (14:7,9,21,23)

Jesus gently rebuked both Thomas and Philip for not realising they already knew the Father - in Christ Himself (vss 7,9). And He had previously said that the only way to the Father was through Him. So are we to understand that we can only know the Father - 'know' meaning deep, intimate relationship such as between a man and wife - indirectly via the Son? To pose the question is enough to point to the answer!

Philip knew that a direct revelation of the Father would fully satisfy his heart's desire (v8). Then as now, very human being has an inbuilt longing to know they are 'fathered'; not in the biological sense, but relationally. We celebrate Mothering Sunday, but don't recognise the role of fathering to anything like the same extent. Since the Industrial Revolution, fathers have disappeared off to work each day and very few children experience the identity-forming input of their father during their teens. Our Western culture believes that it is good for children to separate from their parents much younger than other, older cultures ever did. And even with a stay-at-home Dad, which of us would say that their earthly father gave them a really good image of what their Heavenly Father is like?!

The gospel clearly teaches that beyond atonement, Jesus' purpose was to bring men back to the Father. He died, to create a 'new and living way' directly into the Father's Presence (Heb 10:19-22). He wants His disciples to be 'sons of your Father in heaven' (Mt 5:43-48) and to find such deep rest in knowing they are fathered, that they no longer need to anxiously 'lay up treasures on earth' (Mt 6:19-20, or worry about food or fashion (Mt 6:25-32). He wants to turn the hearts of God's children back to their Father (Mal 4:6) so that they return to Him like the prodigal son did (Lk 15:11-23). He wants us to know our status as beloved sons and daughters (1Jn 3:1,2), so securely that in times of distress we reflexly cry out "Abba, Father!" (Rom 8:14-17).

Jesus has showcased the perfect son-to-father, father-to-son relationship throughout His ministry. He will reveal His intimacy with the Father much further as He prays for them after finishing His discourse (Jn 17). He will encourage them to use their own direct access to the Father in prayer (16:23), no longer needing Him as their intermediary. Indeed the essence of eternal life is to know both the Father and the Son (17:3): a reality which John is still experiencing years later, when he invites his readers to join him in 'fellowship with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ' (1Jn 1:3).

For now, note how He refers repeatedly to Himself and the Father as two distinct Persons. He is about to return to the Father. He will ask the Father for the Spirit. Anyone who loves Him will experience the love of the Father (vs 21,23), and will know both Father and Son dwelling with him. The final fulfilment of this will be in the New Jerusalem, when 'the dwelling-place of God will be with men' (Rev 21:3), but John wants us to know this in our present-day experience.

Perhaps a personal testimony will help make this real for you. I met Jesus over fifty years ago, in an overwhelming experience of His grace. That came about as a result of seeking the gift of the Holy Spirit. But I had no idea I could also know the Father in that experiential way until four decades later. Then I met people who obviously did know Him as their true Father, and began to realise how my image of Father God had been distorted by childhood experience. That had taught me that my father was too busy with other things to notice his sons very much: one had to be either rebellious and a problem, or impressively good, to gain his attention. From that modelling my belief was that Father God was the same: He had much bigger issues to focus on than my trivial prayers. Then one day Jesus personally introduced me to His Father! That experience radically changed me. All my striving to obtain others' affirmation, my anger at failing to achieve this, and my anxieties about having to rely on my own self-sufficiency - they all shrivelled. Not to say I am perfect, far from it! But I know I am Fathered, and that has made a huge difference both emotionally and spiritually.

In my experience, most Christians know God as one, or maybe two, members of the Trinity - not all Three.  They are maybe very aware of the gifts and leading of the Spirit; or they may know Christ indwelling them.  Few truly know God as their Father.  Paul obviously knew God deeply in this three-fold way. He expresses beautifully the distinct quality of each relationship, when he prays for the Corinthians "May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all" (2Cor 13:14).  Take Jesus' description of what His life in us is like, and put it in the faith room of your heart.  Then ask God specifically to know Him more deeply in all three Persons.  Jesus died to obtain this for you, and it is your birthright as a child of God.

Christ's gift of peace   (14:25-31)

Having given them a glimpse of all that His returning to the Father will mean, in terms of their new life & relationship with God, Jesus returns to the here-and-now, and the terrible reality they are about to go through.  They need not fret about remembering everything, because the Spirit will go over everything He's said with them, and unpack all the outworkings of it (v26).  He's told them in advance so that when it happens, their faith in Him will be buttressed by the realisation that He knew all along (v29).  It won't be some terrible miscarriage of justice (though it may seem like that at first), but rather the supreme proof of Jesus's loving obedience to the Father (v31).  It will be His triumphant return to heavenly glory beside the Father, having overcome the world and defeated its Prince: which will be cause for joy to them, as they realise that He has been given 'the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow'.

This is a challenge to the way we think of the cross - not just them.  Western orthodoxy focusses on the cross as atonement, sacrifice for our sin through enduring horrific torture and degradation.  Eastern orthodoxy however focusses on the victory that Christ accomplished at Calvary.  When Jesus met Moses and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration, what did their conversation focus on?  The Exodus that He would accomplish at Jerusalem (Lk 9:28-31).  Just as the Passover lambs had been used to bring about their deliverance from slavery to the ruler of their Egyptian world, so Jesus will set them free to worship God without fear.

The idea of someone giving us their peace seems strange nowadays, but was something the disciples would have been used to.   The Hebrew concept of peace (shalom) was far wider than the absence of conflict: it evolved the well-being of one's spirit as well as one's body and soul (1Thess 5:23).  And it came from God looking favourably on that person (Num 6:26).  It is a fruit of the Spirit, which develops in an individual's human spirit (Gal 5:22).  And just as it is possible for someone to curse another, and that curse to really affect the person's life, so it is possible in the spiritual realm to speak blessing into another's life, from the inner storeroom of our heart.  Jesus had taught them to bestow their peace on any household that offered them hospitality during their missions.; if it turned out to be inhospitable, they should reclaim their peace (Matt 10:12-13), shaking the dust off their feet.

The Roman Empire had established the 'Pax Romana' - Roman peace.  The world was relatively at peace, thanks to there being a single dominant world power willing to enforce its wishes by bloodthirsty repression when necessary.  Many thought Messiah would come with greater military might, to overthrow Rome and establish world peace.  But as Jesus told Pilate, 'My kingdom is not of this world'.  My peace I give unto you, but not as this world gives peace.

Peace is one of the qualities of God's Presence.  He is the God of Peace, as well as the God of love.  The New Covenant prophesied by Ezekiel is a covenant of peace (Ezek 34:25, 37:26).  Jesus is our Prince of Peace (Isa 9:6,7), who was scourged for our peace (Isa 53:5), and we have peace with God through Him (Rom 5:1).  His words are the foundation for our peace (Jn 16:33).  If we bring all our worries and cares to God, His supernatural peace will guard our hearts and minds, keeping them in Christ (Phil 4:6,7)

When we consider Christ's supernatural peace displayed in this chapter, it is astounding.  Facing flogging, mocking, utter humiliation and a horrific death, His heart is still at peace.  Even after one of them has left to betray Him, and in the full knowledge the others will soon desert Him, He is able to give Himself to teaching them Heavenly truth.  There is no trace of anxiety or fear in His words.  There will be sorrow and distress in Gethsemane.  And there will be anguish on the cross, as He experiences being forsaken by His Father.  But at no point do we hear Him express fear, perhaps because He is so utterly secure in His Father's love.  'Perfect love casts out fear'.

Even facing the approach of His sworn enemy, the Prince of this world, He is at peace.  He knows the Enemy 'has nothing in Him'.  Satan has not the slightest hold on Him, nothing whatsoever that he can use to accuse Jesus to the Father (v30).  He has so thoroughly overcome the world and all the temptations Satan tried to lure Him with, He is so armed with the breastplate of righteousness, that the world will have to acknowledge He is going to the cross out of love for the Father (v31).  This should give us a cheerful resilience when we experience tribulation and accusation from the enemy: we are wearing the armour of Christ (16:33; Eph 6:13,14), we are hidden behind His riot shield so to speak.

It could have been very tempting to draw out the warmth and security of the Upper Room for as long as possible; but perhaps as a statement to the Enemy that He is resolute in purpose,  He stands up and sets off on the walk to Gethsemane.  En route, as they walk past the Temple with its entrance covered by a huge vine, He will begin to teach them how to guard their union with Him - how to 'abide in Him'.  They are to be temples of the Holy Spirit, bearing fruit - much fruit - for His glory.