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Home , John 14

THE OF JOHN Small Group Discussion Guide Text: John 14:25-31

Theme/ Big Idea: is departing and giving final assurances and encouragement to his disciples.

Context/ Background Information: In John 14:25-31, Jesus is departing and giving final instructions to his disciples. These instructions are meant to be comforting statements of assurance in order to give his disciples confidence after he departs. First, Jesus promises the gift of the , who will comfort and instruct. Then, Jesus promises the gift his own infinite, enduring, and surpassing peace. And finally, Jesus reminds his disciples that though he will be betrayed and crucified, all things are working according to plan to the praise and glory of God.

JESUS GIVES FINAL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE THE STORM Jesus' earthly time is coming to a close, and he is giving final instructions. "While still with you," indicates he is clearly about to depart. His instruction, while still with them, is intended to give them confidence and confirmation after he departs. In verse 29, he says he told them these things while he was still with them "so that when it does take place, you may believe." He said something similar before Judas' betrayal (:19). His instruction before the storm is meant to give comfort and peace in and through the storm.

Jesus instruction before his betrayal and crucifixion is supposed to give the disciples confidence but also confirm all that Jesus said and did. Nothing that is about to occur in Jesus' betrayal and crucifixion happens by accident or by surprise. No, it will happen according to plan. Therefore, all that Jesus said and accomplished can be trusted. Jesus is the Son of God and really did die for our sins. God really did accept Jesus' offering. Jesus really is our righteousness, and he really does intercede on my behalf. And, in the immediate context, when these things come true, the disciples will know without a doubt that Jesus really does care for them though he is gone.

THE HELPER WILL BRING JESUS' INSTRUCTION HOME TO THE HEART To bring Jesus' instruction home to their hearts, Jesus promised "the Helper, the Holy Spirit." For the first time, "the Helper" is directly identified as "the Holy Spirit." We are told the Holy Spirit will be sent in Jesus' name to teach and to call to mind all that Jesus taught. In other words, the Holy Spirit is being sent not to replace Jesus or his teaching but to point disciples directly to all that Jesus said, did, and is on their behalf.

This indicates one of the Holy Spirit's primary roles, namely to teach, instruct, and point us to the words and works of Jesus. His instruction will be built upon the first Advocate and directed towards the first Advocate. As we learned in John 14:15-24 Jesus advocates for us before the Father, while the Holy Spirit will advocate to us regarding all that Jesus said and did and continues to do on our behalf. The Holy Spirit will plead Jesus' infinite gracious love when we doubt our own worthiness. He will plead Jesus' righteousness when we boast in our own. He will plead all of Jesus' work and words to us.

Verse 26 also gives us clarity as to how the "uneducated" disciples (Acts 4:13) could be so well informed and clear on Jesus' person and works. It was the Holy Spirit that instructed them and called to memory all that Jesus said and did. This is how the came to be, as "men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:21).

JESUS GIVES PEACE IN THE MIDST OF CHAOS In light of his departure and the promise of the Holy Spirit, Jesus gives yet another promise and leaves them with yet another gift. Jesus promises to leave them with peace. In verse 27, Jesus says, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you." In this verse, Jesus tells the disciples what he is leaving them and how it can be experienced.

First, consider what Jesus is leaving the disciples. This word "peace" means quietness and rest. Remember the context, Jesus is departing and his disciples are anxious. The specific word Jesus uses to describe their hearts in John 14:1 and again in verse 27 is "troubled," which describes water that is stirred up and agitated. He knows their hearts are stirred up with emotions and fear. In that context, Jesus offers them peace, quietness, and rest.

But the peace Jesus leaves is not just any peace, quietness, and rest. No, Jesus is leaving them with his peace, quietness, and rest. Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Is 9:6-7). He is the promised full of peace (Num 6:26; Is 52:7, 57:19). He is not making an empty promise or leaving them with a hollow gift. He is promising to leave them with something that is his, that he knows personally and intimately. What is Jesus' peace?

There is both a qualitative and quantitative aspect to the peace that Jesus gives to his disciples. First, consider the quality of the peace Jesus gives. It is total, complete, abundant, absolute peace. It is peace with God (Romans 5:1). Jesus' identity, comfort, and hope are anchored in the rock-solid assurance of the Father's love and acceptance. It is this quiet assurance and certain rest of acceptance before God that Jesus both secures and gives his disciples.

Peace with God leads to and produces peace within ourselves. In the Fall, man was immediately alienated within himself and immersed in a sea of shame and guilt. Everything from that moment on has been a burdensome effort to cover ourselves, to justify our existence, to earn acceptance, to find meaning and purpose. Jesus offers all of that in the peace he gives. He invites us to lay down our burdensome toil and weary work and to find quiet rest in him (Matt 11:28-30; Heb 4:10). And finally, Jesus offers peace with others, "For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility…" (Eph 2:14). It is the natural overflow from vertical peace with God and inward peace within. What Jesus offers qualitatively is the complete reversal and reweaving of all that was broken in the Fall in Genesis 3. In other words, Jesus secures peace with God so that we can know the peace of God.

But there is also a quantitative aspect to the peace Jesus gives to his disciples. The peace Jesus gives is immense, all-sufficient, eternal, and never-ending. It cannot be undone or lost. It is not temporary or momentary. It is secure and permanent. As Peter says, it is an inheritance that is "imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you" guarded by God's power (1 Peter 1:4-5).

In both quality and quantity, the peace Jesus offers far exceeds and eclipses the peace of the world. There is no comparison. The peace the world offers is hollow, shallow, and empty. It is rooted in horizontal pleasures. The peace the world offers is temporary, momentary, and fleeting. It lasts as long as the horizontal earthly treasures last, and for that reason, it never satisfies. The peace Jesus offers brings true rest, true restoration, and true reconciliation. The peace Jesus offers is permanent, secure, and enduring.

In addition to what Jesus offers, we also learn how this peace is secured, received, and experienced. He says, "Not as the world gives...I leave with you, I give to you." Consider the irony of how the world seeks peace. It is generally through power, struggle, effort and toil. Consider how the world offers peace. It is generally based on conditions and for a specified amount of time. Now consider how Jesus came to secure peace. He did not do it by might or by crushing power. No, Jesus came in humble submission to the Father, laying down his power. And why? Because Jesus did not come to overthrow Roman rule in order to secure political peace. He came giving up power to overthrow the "ruler of this world," reversing the curse, and giving us peace with God (John 14:30). How will he accomplish this? It will be through his own wounding and death on the cross. And how does Jesus offer this peace? It is given freely as a gift.

Though subtle, the phrase "I leave with you" explains how we receive the peace Jesus offers. Jesus has announced his imminent death and departure and is now using inheritance language. In other words, true peace and true rest can only be experienced through his death. Indeed, Paul says, "we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom 5:1). Implied is that peace with God is through the life, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul is more explicit in Colossians 1:20, saying peace and reconciliation to God are made through "the blood of the cross."

For all of these reasons, the depth and breadth of the peace Jesus offers and the means by which he secures it, Jesus can say imperatively, "let not your hearts be troubled (agitated and stirred up) neither let them be afraid." Why? Because they have a resource that is beyond anything, the world can give. They have peace with God through Christ. Therefore, they have the peace of God within them. They have hope no matter the circumstances. That is the quiet confidence and full assurance Jesus knew personally and now gives to them.

In verse 27, Jesus promised he was leaving them with his peace. In the hands of the Holy Spirit's instruction that peace would guard and protect them through all their fears and failures. This is why Paul regularly prayed that the "peace of Christ," which surpasses full comprehension, would rule, reign, guard, and protect our hearts and minds (Col 3:15; Phil 4:7).

JESUS' DEPARTURE IS FOR THEIR GOOD AND ACCORDING TO PLAN In verse 28, Jesus says yet again, "I am going away to the Father." Rather than fear such a statement, he tells the disciples they ought to rejoice. Later he will say in :7 that it is for their good that he goes away. Without his death and departure, the peace he promised cannot be experienced, nor will the Holy Spirit come. So in this text, Jesus promises he will accomplish redemption, and the Holy Spirit will come and apply that redemption to the hearts.

In case they wonder, Jesus closes with yet another word of assurance. His death and departure are according to plan. As mentioned in verse 25 and John 13:19, Jesus tells them before it happens, so they have the confidence and comfort that his betrayal, death, and departure were according to plan. Despite appearances, Jesus is still in control.

In Mark 14:43, Mark says, "Judas came" to betray Jesus. Here, however, John records Jesus, saying, "the ruler of this world is coming" (John 14:30). John wants his readers to know two things. First, all the opposition against Jesus is not just a physical struggle of oppression, but a spiritual one. "The ruler of this world" is set against Jesus. But secondly, John wants his readers to understand that Jesus is not caught off guard nor powerless to respond. Jesus was well aware of Judas' betrayal (John 13:19) and the "ruler of this world" approaching (John 14:30) because Jesus is no mere man, he is God in the flesh who knows all, sees all, and is in control of all. Therefore, the devil "has no claim on" Jesus (John 14:30). He has no authority over Jesus, no leg up. Jesus is departing. He is sending the Helper to comfort and instruct. Jesus is leaving his disciples with his peace. And now he is going to the cross where he will be wounded, but he will crush the serpents head. All is working according to plan to the praise and glory of God.

Quotes To Consider: • "The experience of the peace of God flows out of an ever-deepening awareness of being securely at peace with God through faith in his Son." —Paul Tautges

Discussion Questions: 1. Why does Jesus give the promises and assurances of the Helper, his peace, and his divine knowledge before the chaos of betrayal and crucifixion ensue? Why is it so important to rehearse and dwell on the of God's word before we enter storms, trials, struggles, and suffering? 2. Where does the world look for peace? How does the world secure peace and offer peace? How does all of this contrast with the peace Jesus offers and the way he secures peace for us? 3. Read the following verses and consider the various benefits of the peace Jesus offers: 1. What is secured through Jesus' work according to Romans 5:1 and Col 1:20? 2. What is secured through Jesus' work according to Eph 2:14-15? 3. How is it secured according to Eph 2:13 and Col 1:20? 4. What is the result of peace with God according to Matt 11:28-30, Heb 4:10 4. What does Paul implore us to do in the face of anxiety and fear according to Philippians 4:6. In verse 7, what does Paul promise will occur when we run to God in trust and cast our cares upon him? How is this echoed in Is 26:3? What encouragement and hope does this offer? What must we do in times of uncertainty and doubt? 5. In Colossians 3:15, Paul urges us to "let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts." How do we know and grow in our understanding of the peace of Christ, according to Colossians 1:16? Why is the peace of Christ ruling so intimately linked with the word of Christ dwelling?