We Embrace the Father’s Love (14:19–24)

We Embrace the Father’s Love (14:19–24)

“The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost [Spirit] which is given unto us.” (Rom. 5:5). Orphans may feel unwanted and unloved, but our Father bestows His love upon us. Jesus spoke of a threefold manifestation of the love of God.

There was a previous revelation to the disciples (vv. 19–20). John 14:19 focuses on His resurrection and post-resurrection appearances to His disciples and other believers. The world saw Jesus last when Joseph and Nicodemus took Him down off the cross and laid Him in a tomb. He will come in power and magnificent glory to judge lost sinners when He comes the next time.

John 14:20 particularly emphasizes the coming Spirit at Pentecost and the unity of the believers with their Lord. Jesus ascended to heaven as the exalted Head of the church (Eph. 1:19–23). Then He sent forth His Spirit so that the members of the body might be united to their Head in a living union. Of course believers today did not see Jesus after His resurrection or His ascension, but we are joined to Him by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

There is a present revelation of Himself to believers (vv. 21, 23–24). Count the number of times love is repeated. If we love and obey His Word, the Father and Son will share their love and make their home in us. The word translated “abode” in John 14:23 means “make our home” and is related to “mansions” in John 14:2.

The moment the sinner trusts Christ, he is born again, and the Spirit at once enters his body and bears witness that he is a child of God.  The Spirit is here and will not go away. But the deeper the believer gives himself to the Father, loves the Word, prays, and obeys, the deeper is the relationship with the Father, Son, and Spirit. Salvation means we are going to heaven, but submission means heaven comes to us!

This truth is illustrated in the experiences of Abraham and Lot, recorded in Genesis 18 and 19. Jesus and the two angels came to Abraham’s tent and felt right at home. They even shared a meal, and Jesus had a private conversation with Abraham. But our Lord did not go to Sodom to see Lot because He did not feel at home there. However, He sent the two angels instead.

Our experience of God should deepen and deepen, and it will as we surrender to the Spirit of truth and let Him teach and lead us. If we love God and obey Him, day by day He will reveal His love to us in a more profound way.

There is a future revelation at the return of Jesus Christ (v. 19). Judas (not Iscariot) recalled that Jesus had said He would not reveal Himself to the world (John 14:22). But this appeared to contradict other things He had said, such as is recorded in Matthew 24:30. The question he asked was, 'What has happened that you are not going to show yourself to the world anymore?' Has the plan of God been changed?'

He could not show Himself to His own people, for they had rejected Him. Actually, it was mercy that He did not reveal Himself to the world, for that would have been judgment. He has revealed Himself to His church and left the church in the world as a witness of God’s love. He is waiting patiently. He is still granting lost sinners an opportunity to repent and be saved (2 Peter 3:1-10). And He shall return one day (Rev. 1:7), and the world shall see Him.

One of the best ways to soothe a troubled heart is to bathe it in the love of God. When you feel like an 'orphan,' let the Spirit of God show you God’s love in a more profound way. “Little faith will take your soul to heaven, but great faith will bring heaven to your soul,” said Charles Spurgeon. Then your heart can become a “heaven on earth” as you have fellowship with and worship the Lord.