John 14:1-14 (NKJV) Preparing a Place

1  "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2  In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4  And where I go you know, and the way you know." 5  Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?" 6  Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. 7  "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him." 8  Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us." 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; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? 10  Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. 11  Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. 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. 13  And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14  If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

​Questions to Consider:

1. What emotions do you think the disciples would have been wrestling with when Jesus told them that He was going to be leaving them?
2. How would you describe Jesus in terms of "being" the way, the truth and the life?"
3. ​What are some of the "greater works" that have been accomplished through the work of the Church?

It is impossible to fully understand the intent of Jesus' words to His disciples if we do not consider the circumstances.  Jesus utters the words: v.1 "Let not your heart be troubled..."  Jesus was speaking words of comfort to His disciples because of all the activity that was swirling around them.  1) Judas had left the group.  2) Jesus had given a sober prophetic word to Peter.  3) Jesus was sharing that the time of His ministry with the disciples had come to an end.  All this information was overwhelming and confusing.  Throughout the last evening Jesus shared with His disciples He continued to encourage them.  (John 16:33)  "In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world."
Jesus assured His disciples that although He was leaving, His departure from them was temporary.  Jesus was going to prepare a place for them and He was going to come back for them.  v.2,3.  
Most people want to know the details of "the plan."  Thomas was no exception: v.5 "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?"  It seems that Thomas is not operating on the same wave length as Jesus.  Jesus is talking about mansions in His Father's house and Thomas is looking for a road map to get there.
Jesus tells Thomas about the way to get the place that He is preparing: v.6 "I am the way, the truth, and the life, No one comes to the Father except through Me."  Jesus make it clear that He is the only way to the Father, the Father's house, and the place He is preparing for His disciples.  "The Way" is a personal relationship with Jesus, not something that is plotted on a map or stumbled upon with carnal effort.
Philip follows Thomas' question with an outrageous request: v.8 "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us."  (You Think?)  If Jesus had fulfilled Philip's request and revealed the Father in His full glory the disciples would have all died.  Jesus gently chastised Philip with the following truth: Jesus taught and did miracles in the authority of the Father.  v.11 Jesus was God in the flesh and if for no other reason, they should believe in Him on the basis of the works (miracles) themselves.
​v.12 Jesus declares that those that believe in Him will do the works that Jesus did and even greater works.