Exploring the Text: Hope for the future
On the last night before his betrayal, Jesus has an extended conversation with his disciples. During this conversation, Jesus offering his disciples hope for the future. At the beginning of chapter 14, Jesus begins offering hope for the future. He tells his disciples that he is going to prepared a place for them in his Father's house and that he will come again and take us back to himself. This is our ultimate hope, an eternity spent with Jesus in the Father's house. No matter what we are struggling with, not matter what issues we are facing, we have this eternal hope. No matter how painful things in this life are, we have hope in an eternity spent with him.
David Dalton
On the last night before his betrayal, Jesus has an extended conversation with his disciples. During this conversation, Jesus offering his disciples hope for the future. At the beginning of chapter 14, Jesus begins offering hope for the future. He tells his disciples that he is going to prepared a place for them in his Father's house and that he will come again and take us back to himself. This is our ultimate hope, an eternity spent with Jesus in the Father's house. No matter what we are struggling with, not matter what issues we are facing, we have this eternal hope. No matter how painful things in this life are, we have hope in an eternity spent with him.
David Dalton
Exploring the Text: The Way, the Truth, and the Life
When Thomas asks Jesus the way to where he is going, Jesus responds by saying that he is the Way, the Truth , and the Life. In saying that he is the Way, he is saying that he is the example and the pattern for our lives. The early church actually referred to themselves as followers of the Way (Acts 19, 22, and 24). We need to conform our lives to his pattern of life. When he says that he is the Truth, he says that he is the ultimate Truth and everything we believe needs to conform to him and what he teaches. He is the guide not only for how we we but also everything that we hold to be true. When he says that he is the Life, he is saying that real life, significant life, satisfying life is only found in him. Jesus carries with him not only our ultimate hope, he is also everything we need for this life right now.
David Dalton
When Thomas asks Jesus the way to where he is going, Jesus responds by saying that he is the Way, the Truth , and the Life. In saying that he is the Way, he is saying that he is the example and the pattern for our lives. The early church actually referred to themselves as followers of the Way (Acts 19, 22, and 24). We need to conform our lives to his pattern of life. When he says that he is the Truth, he says that he is the ultimate Truth and everything we believe needs to conform to him and what he teaches. He is the guide not only for how we we but also everything that we hold to be true. When he says that he is the Life, he is saying that real life, significant life, satisfying life is only found in him. Jesus carries with him not only our ultimate hope, he is also everything we need for this life right now.
David Dalton
Exploring the Text: The image of the Father
Philip asks Jesus to show them the Father. Literally he is saying that he wants to know what the Father is like. Jesus replies that if they have seen him, they have seen the Father. Jesus is the exact representation of the Father (Hebrews 1:1-3, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Colossians 1:15). We don't always get a clear picture of what God is like from any other source, but in the life, ministry, and teachings of Jesus we see an picture of exactly what God is like. If you ever want to know more about God and get to know him better, look to Jesus. After all, if we have seen Jesus, we have seen the Father.
David Dalton
Philip asks Jesus to show them the Father. Literally he is saying that he wants to know what the Father is like. Jesus replies that if they have seen him, they have seen the Father. Jesus is the exact representation of the Father (Hebrews 1:1-3, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Colossians 1:15). We don't always get a clear picture of what God is like from any other source, but in the life, ministry, and teachings of Jesus we see an picture of exactly what God is like. If you ever want to know more about God and get to know him better, look to Jesus. After all, if we have seen Jesus, we have seen the Father.
David Dalton