John 14:12-24 The Call of Discipleship

 The Call of Discipleship -John 14:12-24

Background

• Jesus is in the upper room celebrating the Passover with the disciples. 

• Jesus is about to leave his disciples, who believed he would remain will them and usher in a new “permanent” kingdom, which would overthrow the current Roman occupiers.

• Jesus shares with them 3 important aspects of discipleship which equates to his promises.

• In Matthew 28’s great commission, Jesus commands the disciples to go into all Nations and make disciples, baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…”

Disciples

The Greek term μαθητής (mathētēs) refers to any “student,” “pupil,” “apprentice,” or “adherent,” as opposed to a “teacher.” In Hebrew, the term Talmid refers to student.

The three main characteristics of a disciple: To follow the Rabbi where he went; to do what he saw the Rabbi do and continue the Rabbi’s mission when they left him.

Jesus is about to leave his disciples and is imparting to them, what is probably the most important message they need to remember as disciples.

1. “Whoever believes in me…..will do greater works then these…” Hard to believe, knowing all the things that Jesus did. Yet when we examine the combined works of the church today, it is amazing what has been done by the power and name of Jesus.

Consider the gov organisations which help countless thousands of people every day. Not to mention the churches on every street corner who continually and tirelessly preach the good news. That’s without knowing the countless acts of service which are committed by believers everywhere which see lives dramatically transformed.

The basis of these works has to be that we “believe” in Jesus. See Heb 11:1

Jesus asked the disciples what they believed about him and Peter replied “you are the son of God” and Jesus said this was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit and …he would build his church and the gates of Hades would not prevail against it. See Matt 16:16-18

Again, Jesus said in Matt 18:19 “that which you bind on earth, would be bound in heaven…” Jesus even went on to say that we would forgive people their sins and they would be forgiven. See John 20:23

2. If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

The word for love in Hebrew (Ahava) is an action word which is associated with giving. As a father, I first understood how this felt the moment I looked at my new born child. It’s almost impossible not to give them all they desire. 

Jesus commanded us to love one another – see John 13:34-35

• Jesus demonstrated true leadership by washing his disciples feet.

• John 3:16 God so loved…that he gave…”

• 1 John 3:16 “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”

• Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

• John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”

• Luke 9:23 “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”

Jesus said three times in the garden of Gethsemane “not my will but your will be done”, before going to the cross. See; Luke 22:42

• Jesus continually sought out and obeyed the will of the father. See Isa 50:7

Jesus commanded us to love one another and said the basis of the whole law hinged on two key commandments, that is: Love the Lord your God with all you heart, mind, soul and strength” and “love others as you love yourself”. See Mat 22:36-46;Deut 6:5

Jesus said we must “Seek first the kingdom of God…” – Matt 6:33 

3. I will send another comforter in my name. 

Jesus promised to send another comforter, one like himself.” In other words, the other comforter be do the things Jesus did for the disciples.

• Jesus was reassuring them that though he was leaving, he would send them one “like” him in his name. In other words, the Holy Spirit would come with the same character and mission that Christ had. They could trust the Holy Spirit to empower them to continue the work that Christ had begun.

• Paul said we have a spirit of adoption, sealed by the Holy Spirit that joins us into the family of God. See Rom 8:15

This word comforter comes from the Greek to mean advocate, that is one who stands alongside such as a lawyer in court. Jesus promised he would abide in you also and later promised he would come upon you with power to be his witnesses. See Acts 1:8

• Jesus as the Rabbi would have been responsible to ensure the disciples had everything they needed, such as food, lodgings etc. 

• The disciples’ believed Jesus was ushering in a new kingdom which would overthrow the current reign of Ceaser the Emperor of Rome had over the land of Israel. They would have been very fearful of losing Jesus and being tortured and killed as a result of their allegiance to Christ. See Acts 1:6