In the death of Jesus, both He and the Father were glorified. In His resurrection, exaltation, the Father glorified the Son, and all His claims were validated (John 13:31-32 ).

A physical separation was soon to take place between the Master and His disciples (John 13:33 ). All His people until His return are to keep His new commandment,

John 13:34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, ..."

It was new when He gave it because He set His love as the standard. The disciples knew His love to be selfless, sacrificial, and without reservation or limit. His fresh kind of love is the standard expected.

John 13:35 "By this all will know you are My disciples if you have love for one another."

When the world sees the Master's own love in His people, for one another - His love which is selfless, sacrificial, caring and forgiving, they know that those who love like that are truly His people.

Our knowledge of our faithfulness is indeed faulty, but the Master knows our weakness and supports us. Peter cannot imagine separation from Jesus. When he grasps it could be death Jesus is meaning, he says,

John 13:37 "... I will lay down my life for Your sake.'"

Though Peter meant what he said and was loyal to Jesus, he did not know his own frailty, nor how he would deny Jesus. He was assured by Jesus that far from laying down his life with Him, Peter would deny Him three times (John 13:38 ), and it would happen before the rooster crowed.

Over-confidence that springs from self-reliance is rebuked by Jesus. None are so near falling as those who look to their own personal strength instead of relying on the keeping power of God in Christ.

John 14:1 "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me."

There is no break between the warning to Peter and these words (John 13:38-14:1 ). So they would speak personally to his need. But at this moment the disciples were of one heart ("your heart") in troubled concern at the revelation of the soon separation of Jesus from them. It is faith in God as in the Person of Jesus Christ which brings consolation. Faith in His love, faithfulness and power. This has sustained and will strengthen the troubled heart till He personally returns.

John 14:2 "In my Father's house are many mansions: ..."

God's house is real - it has a definite address - Jesus lives there in a glorified body, where God is known as Father. It is a large enough place for all the family of God (Ephesians 3:15 ). There is a prepared place for each believer (John 14:2 ). The Lord Jesus will return personally for His own (John 14:3 ). Every disciple knows that relationship with Jesus is the way to heaven (John 14:4 ).

Thomas's questioning received from Jesus an answer that is fuller than what he asked.

John 14:6 "... I am the way, the truth, and the life: ..."

Jesus is the way:

	He is the way to the Father and heaven.
	He is the only way (Acts 4:12 ).
	He is the new way (Hebrews 10:20 ).
	He is the way of Old Testament faithful (Hebrews 11:40 ).
	He is the way of access to the Father (John 14:6 ).

Jesus is the truth:

	He is the revelator and more, truth is personified in Him.
	He is the eternal truth.

Jesus is the life:

	He gives eternal life to those who believingly receive Him.
	He is that eternal life that was with the Father and was manifested for us (1 John 1:2 ).

To know Jesus is to know the Father (John 14:7 ). To see Him is to see the Father.

Philip's statement shows that the full benefits of being with Jesus are not always appropriated (John 14:8 ).

John 14:9 "Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; ..."

The revelation of the Father had been constantly going on before their eyes. There is no right understanding of Jesus Christ until the Father is actually seen in Him. In Him we see the Father's love, faithfulness and power. He is the expression of the Father. Jesus presented two proofs of His union with the Father, namely, His teaching and His miracles (John 14:10-14 ).

Ascension promise began to be fulfilled at Pentecost and is in process of fulfilment until Jesus returns.

John 14:12 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father."

All that is greater in ministry and miracles directly results from Jesus being Lord to the glory of God the Father. Jesus received all power (Matthew 28:18 ), promised power (Acts 1:8 ), by mighty signs and wonders, By the power of the Holy Spirit sinners are made obedient to the good news of Christ (Romans 15:18-19 ). The higher Jesus is exalted the greater the church's effectiveness in the world.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. What new standard did Jesus set for the way we are to love one another? (John 13:33-35 ).
2. How does Jesus support you when you give way to over confidence and self reliance? (John 13:36-38; Luke 22:31-34 ).
3. What brings consolation to the troubled heart? (John 14:1 ).
4. What result can you expect from prolonged time spent with Jesus? (John 14:8,9 ).
5. What promise did Jesus give that bares testimony to His ascension till He returns? (John 14:12 ).