John does not spend a great deal of time describing the events of the last week of Jesus’ life.  Instead, he goes from Palm Sunday to Thursday evening.  Jesus is have his last meal with the apostles. 
Jesus washes his disciples feet, Jesus predicts his betrayal by Judas, then Jesus predicts Peter’s denial of Him.  This causes some concern among the disciples.  So Jesus brings them comfort.

Today’s Scripture: John 14:1-12

Jesus himself is facing the prospect of his own betrayal and crucifixion and yet he places his concern for his closest friends. Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. Jesus wants them to know that with their faith in him it was possible to calm their hearts as they faced what was going to happen in a short while.

Jesus is going to do the work necessary in order that we can be with him.  The work necessary was his death and resurrection.
 
You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” (John 14:4-5)
 
I think they really did know the way, but I also think Jesus wants them to realize they already have what they need. Jesus is not setting them up, he is not deceiving them. He simply wants them to realize what they already know but aren't fully confident in.
 
And Jesus answers with some of the most controversial words that we can find in scripture. Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life no one comes to the father except through me.
Jesus says there is simply no other way to God but to believe in Him.

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”  Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. (John 14:8-10)
 
Philip wants Jesus to show him the father so that he might believe. The ironic thing is Philip was looking directly into the eyes of God when he said that. Jesus wants to let him know that IT IS right in front of him. Don't you know me Philip?

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.  (John 14:12)
 
It is incredible that Jesus says his followers would do even greater works than he himself. This can be a tough one to fully understand and a number of scholars disagree on the exact meaning here.

He says we will do even greater things because…because he he is going to the father.  This is in reference to sending the Holy Spirit which will enable all believers to do great things for God.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”  Do you believe these words this morning?

1 Have you ever heard the expression “all roads lead to Rome?” What do you think it means?

2 Do you believe most people think there is only one way to God or many ways to God?  Why?

3 Read John 14:1-6  Why would the hearts of the apostles be troubled?  What has happened so far during this meal?

4 Why is Jesus leaving to “prepare a place.”  What is the work Jesus will do to prepare this place?  Why was it necessary?

5 What is so controversial about what Jesus says in verse 6?  How does this conflict with some religions today?  Can you name any religions that believe differently that what Jesus says here?

6 Read John 14:7-12 Why does Jesus say you have seen the Father?  When did they see the father?  What did Jesus mean?

7 What is another way to say verse 10?  How would you explain this to someone who is not a Christian.

8 How does verse 11 help support what John has said earlier in chapter one.  Why do the “works” validate who Jesus is?

9  Verse 12 says that those who believe in Jesus will do greater works than he has done.  How is that possible.  What works might this be referring to?