I'm really excited about the next several of these little studies from John because John 13 through John 17 records the final moments of Jesus with his disciples before he faced the cross. They're particularly personal and tender and loving and there's just nothing like this portion of God's Word. We're going to look at John 14, and I would entitle this "Good, Good Promises."
Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, that where I am you may be also...
These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and will bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace, I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
There are few more beautiful and comforting passages in all of the New Testament than John 14. It's here that you see the caring, protecting, and providing love of Jesus for his own, not just for the disciples, but also for everyone who would believe in Jesus as a result of their ministry.
Now think with me for a minute. Imagine the fear and dread in the hearts and the minds of the disciples as they began to grasp the fact that Jesus would not be physically with them forever. And so, Jesus speaks lovingly into this moment with two wonderful promises. The first one is the promise of destiny secured. The way Jesus talks about eternity here, it's tender and personal. He says, "There's a room prepared in eternity for each one of you." Now think about this, you may not feel like you have a place now, or you may feel like your place is one of suffering and sadness. You may be tired of the struggle with life in this fallen world and the sin that still lives inside of you. But there is a place prepared just for you where all of this will be over forever. You and I have no ability to earn such a glorious destiny; it's only ours by grace. You may be thinking, well, that's great, Paul, but what about between now and then?
So, Jesus makes a second promise. It's the promise of a helper. What a wonderful way to talk about the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is assuring us that between the 'already' and the 'not yet,' that he won't leave us without help. The Holy Spirit is given to teach us. He's given to help us understand God's truth. He's given to convict us of sin. He's given to comfort us with God's forgiving grace. He's given to empower us to obey. He's given to build and deepen our unity with the Father and the Son and with one another. None of God's children is ever left without a bright future, and none of God's children is left without help!
So, in this quiet moment that Jesus has with the disciples, he wants them to know that their future is absolutely secure, a future beyond their wildest dreams, a future where a place is prepared just for them. And he wants them to know that until that happens, he's giving them all the help they could ever need, again, to be what they're supposed to be and to do what they're supposed to do as they wait for the final kingdom to come!
Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion
1. How have you personally experienced the caring, protecting, and providing love of Jesus in your life? How has that love shaped your view of God and others? How has that love changed you and made you more into the image of Christ himself? List some specific examples in your life.
2. Are you in a position where you currently feel like you have no place at all? Has your place been riddled with suffering and sadness? Are you tired of the struggle with this fallen world and the sin that still lives inside of you? How does Jesus' promise of an eternal, glorious destiny help you as you think about your ultimate future with him?
3. How has the Helper, the Holy Spirit, practically helped you in the past? How has he given you guidance and instruction to walk with God and make wise decisions that honor him? Why would it be wrong for you as a Christian to claim that you are completely alone and isolated?
4. How can the Holy Spirit give you hope and help to be what you're supposed to be and do what you're supposed to do each day as you wait for the final kingdom to come?
Conversation Prompts to Use with Children
For Younger Children:
• When was the last time that you needed someone to help you with something? What was that experience like with the person who helped you? Would you have been able to accomplish what you needed to do without the helper?
• Why do you think Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as "the Helper"?
For Older Children:
• Why do you think independence is not a goal of the Christian life? Do you think you need help to live the Christian life? Why is it a good thing to need help and not a bad thing?
• Why do you think Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as "the Helper"? Can I share with you an example from my past when I needed God to help me, and how it went when I asked for his help? Do you have any examples of that in your life? Would you be willing to share one with me?
You have permission to print, repost, share, distribute, and translate this resource as long as you credit Paul Tripp as the teacher, do not charge for this resource, and do not alter the content in any way. If you require an exception or special permission, please email Info@PaulTripp.com.
