John’s Gospel has a turning point, starting in chapter 13.

Chapters 1 – 12 are dedicated to Christ’s public ministry, which included the gathering of believers, choosing 12 apostles and the conflict with the religious leaders of Israel.

Chapters 13 – 17 are dedicated to Christ privately ministering to the apostles the day before He would be captured and crucified. The Lord’s earthly ministry was ending. The apostles ministry was about to begin.

As Christ reveals the events which shall soon take place He emphasizes His love for them and their need to love each other. Though He mentions the glory that He and the Father will share, the thoughts of betrayal and of Jesus departing are troubling to the disciples – especially Peter. Peter wants to do something. He sincerely vows to lay down his life for Jesus. Peter is told that he will soon deny Christ three times (Matthew 26:20-35; Luke 22:31-34).

Despite the mystery of Christ’s departure and the revelation of Peter’s human failure (along with the failure of the others), Christ focuses on comforting the apostles (The word “Father is used 53 times in chapters 13-17). He wants them to not allow their hearts to be troubled. He wants them to be at peace. If we think that things are dark in our world today, how much more dark did things look when Christ was captured in the middle of the night, illegally tried, handed over to the Romans and crucified in the morning? If we feel grief and anxiety over our weaknesses and failures in our life, how much more did Peter feel when he made a promise to the Lord and then denied him three times within a few hours? He had said that he’d lay down his life for Christ, but could not even stay awake to pray for Him! Yet, the Lord spoke of love, comfort and peace to Peter and the others!

Remember this when you are in darkness. Let the light of Christ’s love and grace shine on you then. There are no mysteries or surprises with Him. He understands everything that is happening. He has already factored all of your sins and failures. Yet He promises you love, comfort and peace!

In John chapters 13 – 16 we are instructed to prepare our hearts to receive the love, comfort and peace of the Father and of His Son – despite the evil of the world’s unbelief and hatred. We are instructed to minister love and truth. Jesus is going to prepare an eternal home for us by going to the cross and paying for our sins (John 14:1-3). Jesus also is going to establish an earthly relationship for us, in which the Father and the Son have a dwelling place within us, so that we may safely and gracefully fulfill our ministry on earth (John 14:12-27 ~ He prays for this in John 17). In John 14:2 we read, “In my Father’s house are many mansions (dwellings, abodes, rooms, apartments)…” The same word is found in John 14:23, “…If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode (home) with him.” Jesus has prepared a place for us in heaven, but also a place for us to be at home (at one) with the Father here, in this life! See John 17:19-26.

Consider three things that Jesus means to us, in John 14:6:

I Am the Way – to the Father

For every destination there must be a path – a road. Jesus is the road to the Father. When building highways or railroads, obstacles have to be removed or circumvented. Low areas must be filled in. High areas must be excavated and graded to be capable of travel. Bridges and tunnels must be built. The way to the Father was blocked to us. We had no way to God. Our sinful nature stopped us. Our sins that we committed created a chasm between us. Christ’s death on the cross pays for sins that we commit and purchases for us a new nature that is able to turn us from the love of sin and to turn us to God in love and devotion. The message of the Gospel and the following of that message by those who love and trust Christ is often called “The Way” (Acts 9:2; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14,22).

Jesus Christ is the way – the only way to the Father (Acts 4:12; I Timothy 2:5-6 cp. Hebrews 1:1-13; 2:6-18; 4:14-16; 9:27-28; 10:5-25; 13:20-21). See also I Corinthians 15:22-28

I Am the Truth – from the Father

There are many paths and roads offered in life. Only one leads to a living and eternal relationship with the Father. In order to travel and arrive at the right destination a person needs directions, or a map (i.e. correct information). Jesus came to show us the Scriptures (our map) and how they lead us to the Father John 5:37-47 cp. Romans 10:1-4; Colossians 2:8).

Jesus did not merely teach the truth correctly. He is the truth! He is our map / our guide. His actions, as well as His words, radiate the truth of God. Therefore we follow Him (John 1:4,14,17; 8:12, 30-32, 36, 42-47; 10:27; 14:9 cp. Matthew 7:21-27; 16:24-26; II Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 5:1-2; Hebrews 12:2-3; I Peter 2:21-23; I John 2:6).

I Am the Life – of the Father

A road; a map – now we need a vehicle with power to get us to our destination! Christ gives life and power to raise from the deadness of our sinful selves and walk with Him. The same power, that raised Jesus from the dead, lives within those who are born again.

He is the Life! See John 3:3,6-7; 5:21-26; 6:51-63; 8:36; 15:4-5; Romans 8:1-13 (note vs. 2 & 11); Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 1:3,15-20; 2:1, 4-6, 10; Philippians 4:13; II Corinthians 13:14.