John Chapter 14

John Chapter 14

Jesus says… don’t let your heart be troubled if you believe in god then you believe in me. (That is categorically untrue… think of all the people we’ve met in this tale who really do believe in God and don’t at all believe in JC).

In his dad’s house are many mansions (big house to contain mansions, perhaps he meant land), if it wasn’t true JC wouldn’t have said it. He’s going forth to prepare this place for everybody. (That’s nice of him). Once he prepares everything he’ll come again and personally escort them so they can all be together. Hurray! Then, when he goes they’ll know the way. Even better!

JC said to them that he is the way, the truth AND the life and nobody is getting in to see his daddy without going through him first. Again, if you know him, you know his dad and from now on they all know him and have seen him.

Philip asked him to show the Father, this would suffice for them.

Jesus didn’t like that. How can you not know me after so long together. If you’ve seen me you’ve seen the father. How can you ask me to show the Father. Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and his is in me? Also, when I speak they are not my words but his. Believe me when I tell you that I am in the Father and the Father is in me (I will beat this dead horse until it reunites with the ground, bam, bam, die hors that is already dead!), if you believe me for no other reason than believe in my works.

He continues (seemingly endlessly), he that believes in me will do the same works that I do and even greater works. It’s time for me to go to my dad. But I’ll do whatever you ask in my name and the my dad will be glorified in me. If you ask for something in my name, I’ll do it (that’s in case you missed it the first time he said it). If you love me keep my commandments. He’ll pray to his dad (can’t they just chat, he’s going to see him very shortly), and he will give you another Comforter (yup, capital “C”) and he can live with you forever.

JC continues to tell that this Comforter is the spirit of truth who you know and who dwells within you, even though the world cannot receive him because they can’t see or know him. Jesus promises not to leave them comfortless, he’s going to come to them.

But in a little while the world won’t see him anymore, but his friends will. He’s going to live forever and so will they. Anyone that keeps his commandments is someone who loves him. And what’s so special about that? Well, anyone who loves him is loved by god and JC and JC will show himself to that person.

The other Judas (not Iscariot) asked how JC planned on showing himself to them and not to the world at large.

Jesus told him that if a man loves him and keeps his words then his father will love him and both he and his dad will come to him and live with him. Whoever doesn’t love him won’t do what he says, even though those are his dad’s words not his. He’s told them all this before, JC says.

But the Comforter, who is also known as the Holy Ghost who god will send in JC’s name will teach them all things and help them remember everything he’s said to them.

Well, I’m off. I give you my peace. Don’t be troubled or afraid about this, he tells them. You’ve all heard what I’ve said, I’m going away but I’ll come to you again. If you loved me you would rejoice because I’m going to see my dad who is even better than me (but is sometimes the same person and sometimes not).

Jesus says that he told them all this before it happened so that they would believe. After this he’s not going to talk much with them. The prince of this world comes and has nothing in JC. (For your edification that line actually reads, “for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.”). But the world should know that Jesus loves his dad who gave him the commandment to do as he is doing.

Well, let’s be off, he says.

All I (Beth) can say is… I am so glad there are only 7 more chapters. The repetition is just incredible, and this gospel is so far from the others I can only imagine that if you are Christian you really have to pick which side of the fence you fall on , are you a Matthew/Mark/Luke type or a John believer?