READ: Jn. 14:1–14: … And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself … I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me … Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me …
The disciples are filled with sorrow and shock: their Lord will be betrayed and denied, and He Himself will leave them. Now Jesus speaks to comfort them. He does not want them to collapse in despair. He calls them to trust in God and in Him.
He explains that He must go to the Father for their sake as His children. He tells them plainly what He will do to redeem them forever, body and soul. Jesus does not mention the horror of the cross and grave here, but He reveals the result of His suffering and death for those who love Him: I go to prepare a place for you in My Father’s house, where there is plenty of room. Jesus refers to His ascension and His work until His return (Heid. Cat. LD 19).
You fear that I will leave you, but at My return I will ensure that we meet again with My Father. Then you and all the elect will be where I am (1 Thess. 4:16–18; Rev.21:3ff.).
Jesus now points to the way they must travel (v.4): the way of faith toward the heavenly homeland (Heb. 4:3,11; 11:13–16). Thomas does not understand: We do not know the destination, how can we know the way?
Jesus answers remarkably: I Myself am the Way to the Father, where Life is, because I am the Truth. Everything God has spoken is fulfilled in truth in Jesus. Through Him, humans are delivered from sin, ruin, and condemnation forever, but only if they receive Him in faith as Saviour.
All salvation and future are bound to His Person. No one can come to the Father without faith in Jesus. He has shown who the Father is in righteousness and grace.
Philip must learn that Jesus and the Father are one in thought, speech, and action. It is a matter of faith to accept Jesus’s word. At the very least they must believe because of His works (Jn. 20:30,31).
Do you long for His return?
Sing: Ps. 86:3