Devotional: Back to the Father John 14:1-11

John 13 is known as the chapter that tells us about Jesus washing His disciple’s feet (Jn. 13:5-17). However, a closer look at John 13:1 informs us that Jesus is getting ready to prepare His disciples for His departure from the earth. He is about to return to the Father. The washing of the disciple’s feet is His first lesson for their preparation for His return to the Father. They must learn to serve one another. They must love one another (13:34-35). Their love for one another demonstrated by their service to one another will demonstrate to the world that they have learned from Him the ways of the Father. They will no longer compete with each other. Instead they will look out for each other, and they will be willing to do what is needed for their fellow comrades.

John 14:1-11 is a second lesson in which Jesus prepares His disciples for His return to the Father. Jesus is going away to prepare a place for them. He will return and take them to the prepared place. Jesus knows that He has taught them the way to the place that He is going. Thomas does not fully understand what Jesus is saying. “Thomas said to Him, ‘Lord, we do not know where You are going, how can do we know the way” (v. 5)?

Now in my Baptist tradition verses one through six are often read at a funeral. It seeks to give comfort to the family and loved ones of the deceased. They are going to heaven to be with the Lord. However, this text is not promising us that our loved ones are going to heaven. Rather, Jesus is teaching His disciples how to have access to the Father. Jesus is sending these twelve disciples out as the first apostles to proclaim the Gospel for salvation. They are to make disciples of all people so that they might live in a way that pleases the Father. The issue here is not going to heaven. The issue is this. How do the apostles and other Christians gain access to the Father, even while we live in the world today?

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me’” (14:6, NASB). The world makes available to them many religions, various philosophies, and theories that claim to know the truth, know the right way to live; and promise to give eternal life. Jesus affirms what he has been teaching all alone. They must come to know the Father. Jesus is the only one that offers access to the Father. His words show us how to live a life pleasing to God. He alone knows the truth about God and the truth that issues from the Father. We will have eternal life if we return to the Father, because God alone is the source of life. I can have access to the Father only if I believe and obey the commandments of Jesus, the Son of God.

Prayer: Father, we thank You for Your son Jesus who makes it possible for us to return to You. Amen.