Having reaffirmed He is revealing the Father, Jesus turns to the Spirit’s role in the plan of salvation. Like Jesus, the Spirit is the gift of God. The Spirit helps believers love Jesus by their obeying Him (14:15-17). Any meaningful relationship comes with obligations. Such is the case with the Lord, who made relationship with God possible through love. The Spirit informs and enhances this relationship. Translations vary on John’s word “Paraclete,” but a general word like “Helper” suits the overall work of the Spirit better than a word that describes just one aspect.
The Spirit makes known the truth of God revealed in Jesus (14:17): “The Holy Spirit has one mission, and one mission only according to John, namely, to bear witness of Christ and to make Christ real to men” (Conner). The worldly are too absorbed in their darkness to see what God is doing in Jesus’ perfect manifestation of Him. The Spirit’s role is to lead people into the truth of Jesus Christ, while the duty of believers is to cooperate with the Spirit by obeying these truths.
Jesus’ resurrection will prove His unity with the Father and His disciples (14:18-20). His disciples will not be left “alone in the world” (14:18, Phillips). His public ministry will conclude. Cross and burial will happen, then His resurrection. Jesus’ resurrection assures resurrection for all who believe in Him; life, not death, has the final word (14:19).
The full revelation and love of God come to people who show love to Jesus through obedience. What Jesus requires is a treasure to be held and obeyed in trust. Jesus and the Father regard such trust as an act of love. He will more and more make Himself known to each follower; He will make Himself “real to him” (14:21, Williams).
Judas’s question does not recognize that union with Jesus means some things are not available to people who reject Jesus. Obedience in love toward Jesus ensures God’s love and presence for eternity. That is Jesus’ promise (14:22-23). Accordingly, a loving relationship with Him includes accepting that He teaches truth worth following. The Father entirely agrees with Jesus on this point. Indeed, believers will be “at home” with God and He with them.
Rejecting the revelation of God in Jesus and refusing obedience to Him effectively deny the love of God and reject His plan of salvation made known in Jesus (14:24).
Dr. David Moore can be contacted at dm5867se@outlook.com
