Help for Troubled Hearts, Part One

John 14:1-14

Goodbyes are never easy. Whether it's saying farewell to a close friend, a loved one moving away, or even the end of a season in life, we often struggle with change and uncertainty.

Now, imagine how the disciples must have felt when Jesus told them He was leaving. They had walked with Him, listened to His teaching, and seen His miracles firsthand. He was their guide, their leader, their source of strength—and now He was going away.

It’s a feeling we all know too well. Maybe you’ve had to say goodbye to a close friend who moved away, a mentor who retired, or a loved one who passed on. In those moments, there’s often a lingering question: What now? How do I go on without them?

We see this on a larger scale in the world around us. Think about when a beloved leader steps down, a coach leaves a winning team, or a founder of a company retires. People begin to wonder if things will ever be the same. Will the movement continue? Will the team still win? Will the company still thrive? The uncertainty can be unsettling.

This is exactly what Jesus was preparing His disciples for. His departure was not abandonment—it was a necessary step for something greater. He wasn’t just leaving; He was making a way for something better: preparing a place for us, revealing the Father to us, giving the Holy Spirit to us, and securing peace for us.

So just as the disciples faced this uncertain moment with troubled hearts, we, too, often wonder: How do we navigate this world while we wait for Jesus' return? The good news is that He has not left us alone. He has given us everything we need to trust Him fully and follow Him faithfully.

MP: We can have hope and peace because Jesus’s departure was for our good.

Jesus’ departure was not a loss but a gain—because in leaving, he prepared a place for us, revealed the Father to us, gave the Spirit to us, and secured peace for us. Because of this, we can trust him fully and follow him faithfully.

Jesus’s disciples were about to find out the hard way of what his departure ment. They were about to live their lives ourside of Jesus activly and physicallt with them.

They hearts would be troubled. How were they to navigate this life without Jesus in their lives.

How are we able to navigate this world as we are waiting on the return of jesus.

Jesus Prepares a Place for Us (1-6)

As the disciples are contemplating the words of Jesus in verse 38 of Chapter 13.

He is going to prepare a place for us…

First his going: The cross.

The Cross for Jesus is the way in which he is going.

Jesus’ departure was necessary because it was through His death that He would secure a place for His people. The barrier between humanity and God—our sin—had to be dealt with before anyone could dwell in the Father’s house. The cross was not just suffering; it was the means by which Jesus prepared the way for us.

John 12:24 – “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”

Hebrews 9:12 – “He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.”

By going to the cross, Jesus was making room for His disciples in the Father’s house—not in the sense of building a mansion, but by providing the means of reconciliation so they could belong in God’s presence.

2. The Resurrection and Ascension as the Fulfillment of His Going

After His death, Jesus’ resurrection was the proof that His sacrifice was accepted. His ascension was the final stage of His going—returning to the Father, where He now intercedes for His people and prepares for their arrival.

Romans 8:34 – “Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.”

Hebrews 6:19-20 – “We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf.”

Jesus prepares a place not by constructing rooms, but by acting as our Mediator. His presence in heaven secures our place there.

Second the place. Translated sometimes is mansions. Is incorrect. It is room. He is preparing room for his disciples.

The rooms that were added onto the Fathers home in the marriage of the bride and the groom. To contain the family unit.

The fathers house, or where he his home is, being heaven, is going to be prepared for his disciples in eternity.

Jesus isnt saying that he is going to go to heaven and build a mansion on a hill top for his followers. rather, he is preparing them to be with God the Father in the unity of a Family through the adoption.

They will become a child of God and then be welcomed into the fathers house.

Ephesians 1:3–5 ESV

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

Adoption

Because of Christ we are adopted as children of God.

Thomas’s question is legit here. If Jesus is going to a place, that for them is a mystery, for us is a mysterious reality, How do we get there?

What is the roadmap for us to enter into the place that is being prepared for us?

Is there a special ritual that one must do to enter? Secret handshakes? Secret phrases or clothes that we must wear so that we can enter into this celestial abode?

No, The way is not a what but a who. It is not a strict direction but a relationship that is characterized by his person and work.

The way that Jesus is going is a certain kind of life. A life that is lived in the way. A life lived in Jesus.

Jesus explains himself in three nouns here.

First, The way.

Jesus is the Way in the sense that He is the only means by which humanity can participate in the life of God.

In John 14:6, Jesus declares, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

This statement is exclusive—Jesus is not one way among many, but the only way to reconciliation with God.

For Jesus, the Way was not merely a spiritual concept; it was a literal and physical path that led through suffering, rejection, and ultimately, the cross. His journey to the Father was through self-sacrifice, obedience, and death.

For Jesus, This way was his purpose, his mission, his obedience, his love. Jesus’s way was death and resurection. IT was atoning, it was bringing sinners to the Father through himself.

For Christians, the Way is not about physical suffering in the same sense, but about a new way of life—one defined by faith, obedience, and participation in Christ’s mission. It means walking in humility (Philippians 2:5-8), taking up our cross daily (Luke 9:23), and living according to the Spirit rather than the flesh (Romans 8:5-6).

Thus, the Way is not just a path to salvation but a pattern for living.

Jesus is our salvation. Jesus is our justification. Jesis is our accesss to God and because of that we live a sepereate way.

We still mess this up often, We add what we can do to our salvation. This happens because we are not looking at Jesus, nor having the cross in the forfront of our mind. Jesus didnt just give us a moral example, he provided the way. The way for us to be justified, the way for us to be made right. Jesus is this way for all of humanity.

This means that following Jesus means self denial. Surrendering our desires and ambition to Jesus.

Our mindset is changed to seeking things of God not of the world

Walking in the Way means living in love, which reflects the very character of Christ.

“Walking in the Way means living in love, which reflects the very character of Christ. As Mr. Rogers would say, ‘There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind.’ That’s the heart of Christlike love—kindness that transforms lives.”

While Jesus’ suffering was unique in securing salvation, believers are called to endure trials with faith, following His example.

Second, The Truth

Jesus is the reality in which the christians existence and participation in God are confirmed and find their meaning.

Jesus is the standard for what is real in this world and true about God, for he is the one who reveals God to us. He is the lens through which the world is to be judged and interpreted.

Everyday Connection: Think about the first time someone puts on prescription glasses. Everything suddenly becomes clear—the trees have individual leaves, the road signs actually have words, and life just makes sense. That’s what it’s like when we see life through Christ—things that once seemed blurry or confusing suddenly become clear.

Practical Example: Have you ever seen someone stubbornly refuse to wear their glasses? They squint at their phone, hold menus two feet away, and pretend they’re fine. That’s what it’s like trying to navigate life without Christ—we think we see clearly, but we’re actually just guessing at what’s in front of us.

Jesus is the Reality in which the Christian’s existence and participation in God are confirmed and find their ultimate meaning. Apart from Him, our understanding of life, truth, and God remains incomplete. In John 14:6, Jesus not only declares Himself as the Way but also as the Truth—the very foundation of what is real and knowable.

In a world filled with competing narratives about identity, purpose, and morality, Jesus stands as the absolute standard of truth. He is not merely a teacher of truth but the embodiment of truth itself. As the perfect revelation of God (John 1:14, Colossians 1:15), Jesus defines what is real about God and the world. Everything—our lives, our beliefs, and our understanding of reality—must be judged and interpreted through Him.

To live as a Christian is to see the world through the lens of Christ. He shapes how we view ourselves (as beloved but dependent on grace), how we view others (as image-bearers in need of redemption), and how we view reality (as ultimately under God’s sovereign rule).

Application with Scripture:

Jesus as the Truth and Reality (John 14:6)

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Jesus defines truth—not just religious truth, but all of reality. He reveals the true nature of God, humanity, and salvation.

"Jesus defines truth—not just religious truth, but all of reality. He reveals the true nature of God, humanity, and salvation. It’s like looking into a mirror that shows you who you really are, not just who you want to be. Without Jesus, we’re like someone trying to fix their hair without a mirror—missing the true reflection of ourselves."

Jesus as the Image of the Invisible God (Colossians 1:15)

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.”

We know what God is like because Jesus has made Him known. If we want to understand God’s character, we look to Jesus.

Jesus as the Light that Exposes Reality (John 1:4-5)

“In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

Light reveals what is real. Jesus, as the light of the world, exposes sin, falsehood, and deception, calling us into true life.

Jesus as the Lens for Understanding the World (2 Corinthians 10:5)

“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”

Every philosophy, belief, and worldview must be tested against the truth revealed in Jesus. He is the lens through which reality must be interpreted.

Lastly, The Life

Jesus is the Life because He is the source from which Christian existence and participation in God originate. He is not only the giver of physical life but also the sustainer of spiritual life. In John 1:3-4, we see that “All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.” Jesus is the Creator and sustainer of all that exists—without Him, there is no life at all.

But Jesus’ role as the Life is not just about creation; it is also about redemption. Sin introduced death into the world (Romans 5:12), but through Jesus, true and eternal life is restored. He declares in John 11:25, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” Because Jesus is the Life, He overcomes every division that sin and death have created:

The separation between life and death—in Him, death is not the end but the beginning of eternal life.

The divide between this life and the life to come—eternal life is not just a future reality but something we experience now through union with Christ (John 17:3).

The distinction between the seen and unseen—Jesus is Lord over both the physical and spiritual realms, holding all things together (Colossians 1:17).

"Jesus is Lord over both the physical and spiritual realms, holding all things together. Our very breath is a constant, unseen reminder of the life He gives us. You can’t see the air that fills your lungs, but without it, everything would fall apart. In the same way, Jesus is the breath that sustains all of creation, visible and invisible."

Application with Scripture:

Jesus as the Source of Life (John 1:3-4)

“All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.”

Jesus is the Creator and sustainer of life itself. Our very existence depends on Him.

Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25)

“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.”

In Jesus, death is defeated. He offers eternal life that begins now and continues forever.

Jesus as the Life We Now Live (Galatians 2:20)

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”

The Christian life is not just about believing in Jesus but about living in and through Him.

Jesus as the One Who Holds Everything Together (Colossians 1:17)

“And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

Jesus is not just the origin of life—He is the one who sustains and unifies everything, breaking down the barriers between life and death, heaven and earth.

Ultimately:

As the disciples wrestled with Jesus’ words, they struggled to grasp what His departure truly meant. He wasn’t leaving them aimlessly; He was going to prepare a place—not merely a physical dwelling, but an eternal home in the Father’s house. This preparation was not about constructing mansions but about making a way for them to be fully united with God through adoption as His children.

Jesus’ claim, *“I am the way, the truth, and the life,”* is not just a theological statement—it is an invitation into a relationship that transforms everything. Through Him, we have a path to God, we see reality as it truly is, and we receive the very life of God Himself.

But how can we be certain of this? How do we know that in Jesus, we truly see and know the Father? That’s exactly where Jesus leads His disciples next. In their doubt and uncertainty, He reassures them: *“If you have seen Me, you have seen the Father.”*

Jesus’ departure was not abandonment—it was preparation. His going to the cross, His resurrection, and His return to the Father were all part of securing our place in God’s family. And because Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, we can have complete confidence that He is leading us into an eternal home, where we will dwell with the Father forever.

Yet even now, we are not left in the dark. Jesus reveals to us the very nature and heart of God. If we long to know the Father, we need only look to Christ. Let’s now consider how Jesus reveals the Father, bringing encouragement in our doubts and questions.

Jesus Reveals the Father

The Question: Philip’s Request (v. 8)

Philip, speaking on behalf of the disciples, says, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” This reveals a deep longing to know and see God more fully. However, it also shows that the disciples still didn’t fully grasp who Jesus was.

2. The Answer: Jesus’ Response (vv. 9-11)

Jesus gently corrects Philip, saying, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” He reminds them that He and the Father are one. His words and works are direct evidence of this unity.

3. The Encouragement: Jesus in Our Doubts

Philip’s request shows that even those closest to Jesus can struggle with doubt and desire more proof. But Jesus reassures them that He is enough. If they know Him, they know the Father.

Jesus’ words and works are not merely teachings and miracles; they are the very revelation of God. When He speaks, He speaks the words of the Father. When He acts, He acts with the power of the Father. His entire ministry serves as a testimony to who He is and who God is.

Jesus’ Words and Works Reveal God

Throughout His ministry, Jesus emphasized that He was not acting independently but in complete unity with the Father. His words were not His own, and His works were not self-generated; they were the direct expression of the Father’s will and presence.

John 14:10-11 – “Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.”

John 1:18 – “No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.”

The works of Jesus—His miracles, signs, and even His ultimate work on the cross—are concrete demonstrations of the unseen reality proclaimed in the prologue of John’s Gospel. Through Jesus, the invisible God is made known.

Faith Is Active Participation in God’s Mission

Faith in Christ is not a passive acknowledgment; it is an active engagement with the power and mission of God. True belief is not just intellectual assent but an invitation to share in the life and work of Christ.

John 14:12 – “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.”

James 2:17 – “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

To believe in Christ is to step into His mission, empowered by the same Spirit that empowered Him. The church is not merely a passive recipient of salvation but an active participant in God’s ongoing work in the world.

Through Christ’s exaltation and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, believers are commissioned to carry on the ministry of God in the world. Jesus’ mission did not end with His ascension; rather, it was extended through His followers.

2 Corinthians 5:20 – “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.”

Matthew 28:18-20 – “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”

The church is not merely an institution; it is the living body of Christ on earth, continuing His work in the power of the Spirit.

Both the words and works of Jesus reveal who he is and who god is. They serve as witness for belief in God. The works make clear that the son is in the Father and the father is in him showing concretely what the prologue announce about the unseen.

Faith in Christ in not merely a passive act, it is active; it is to become a participant in the power and mission of God and in some way to share in the ministry of God through Christ.

Here we are invited- commissioned, to participate in the ongoing and powerful ministry of God the Father and the exalted Christ, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The ministry of the church is truly the work of God in the world. John 14:13-14 says, “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”

At first glance, this verse might seem to suggest that if we simply add “in Jesus’ name” to the end of our prayers, He will grant our requests—like a blank check from God. However, this is a misunderstanding of Jesus' teaching.

1. The Misuse of This Verse: The "Word of Faith" Error

Some mistakenly interpret this passage as a promise that God will grant anything we desire as long as we invoke Jesus’ name. This belief, often promoted by the Word of Faith movement, treats prayer like a formula for personal gain. For example:

“I claim a Lamborghini in Jesus’ name.”

“I declare financial abundance in Jesus’ name.”

A great illustration of this misunderstanding comes from The Office when Michael Scott famously declares, "I declare bankruptcy!" He stands in the middle of the office and shouts it out, thinking that simply saying the words will change his financial situation.

However, Oscar quickly corrects him: "You can't just say it and expect something to happen. That's not how it works."

This is exactly how some people misunderstand John 14:13-14. They think that if they just say "In Jesus’ name" at the end of a prayer, God is obligated to grant their request—whether it’s wealth, success, or even a Lamborghini. But praying in Jesus' name isn't just about saying certain words—it's about aligning with His will, character, and mission.

Just like declaring bankruptcy requires actually going through a legal process, praying in Jesus’ name requires a heart surrendered to His will, not just throwing His name onto a wish list.

This approach distorts the true purpose of prayer. It reduces God to a cosmic vending machine, where our words and “faith” obligate Him to act according to our will. However, Jesus never intended His name to be a magic formula to fulfill selfish desires.

2. What It Really Means to Pray in Jesus’ Name

Praying in Jesus’ name means praying in alignment with His will, character, and mission. When Jesus said, “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do”, He was speaking to disciples who were called to carry out His work on earth.

John 15:7 – “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

1 John 5:14 – “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.”

To pray in Jesus’ name is to pray for things that align with His kingdom, His purposes, and His righteousness. It means asking for what glorifies the Father through the Son (John 14:13).

3. The True Power of Prayer

When we understand this verse correctly, we see that prayer is not about bending God’s will to match our desires—it’s about aligning our desires with His will.

Instead of praying, “God, give me more money,” we pray, “Lord, provide what I need to serve You well.”

Instead of praying, “God, take away all my problems,” we pray, “Lord, use this trial to make me more like Christ.”

Instead of praying, “God, make my life easy,” we pray, “Father, Your will be done in my life, for Your glory.”

Application:

Trust in Jesus' Preparation: Just as the disciples had to trust that Jesus was preparing a place for them, we must trust that Jesus has prepared a place for us in God’s eternal family. This truth should comfort us when we feel uncertain about the future, especially during times of loss or transition. When you face difficult goodbyes or moments of doubt, remember that Jesus has made a way for you to be with the Father forever. Embrace this reality in your daily life, knowing that you are never alone.

Live as Children of God: Because Jesus prepared a way for us to become adopted children of God, our lives should reflect this new identity. In your relationships, interactions, and decision-making, live out the values of your Father’s house. Embrace love, humility, obedience, and faithfulness as key characteristics of being part of God’s family. Don’t let the world’s values define your identity or your way of life—rather, let your life be a reflection of the family you belong to.

Active Faith and Participation in God's Mission: Jesus didn’t just prepare a place for us in the future; He also calls us to live with purpose here and now. Our faith is not passive. We are invited to participate in God’s ongoing mission, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Don’t see your faith as merely a personal belief, but as an active calling to serve and reflect Christ in the world. Every opportunity to serve, to love, to speak truth, and to act justly is an invitation to participate in God’s work on earth.

Praying in Jesus' Name: To pray in Jesus’ name is not about simply adding His name to our wishes or desires. It’s about aligning our hearts with His will. When you pray, ask for things that align with God’s kingdom purposes. Pray for strength, wisdom, and opportunities to participate in His mission, and trust that God will provide what is needed to fulfill His plans for you. Remember, prayer is not about manipulating God to fulfill our desires but about aligning ourselves with His will and glorifying Him through our requests.

Conclusion:

Jesus’ departure was not an abandonment of His disciples but a necessary part of His greater plan to prepare a place for us, reveal the Father to us, give us the Holy Spirit, and secure peace for us. In our own lives, we often face uncertainty and loss, but we can find hope and peace in the reality that Jesus has prepared a way for us to be with God eternally. As His followers, we are called to live according to the way of Jesus, grounded in His truth and empowered by the life He gives us. We have been invited to participate in His mission on earth, and our prayers are an opportunity to align our hearts with His will. Let’s go forward with confidence, knowing that the same Jesus who prepares a place for us in the Father’s house also empowers us to live faithfully in this world as we wait for His return.