1. Context (BKC)
Jewish national unbelief (12:37–50) (The Jews’ national, irrational unbelief had been predicted by Isaiah the prophet. The clearest Old Testament passage concerning the suffering Servant (Isa. 53:1–12) began by stating that Israel would not perceive God’s revelation in and through the Servant...)
Jesus’ Preparation of His Disciples (chaps. 13–17)
The Last Supper (13:1–30)
Jesus’ coming departure (13:31–38) (After the departure of Judas, the events leading to Jesus’ death fell into place quickly...)
Jesus, the Way to the Father (14:1–14)
The disciples were completely bewildered and discouraged. Jesus had said He was going away (7:34; 8:21; 12:8, 35; 13:33), that He would die (12:32–33), that one of the Twelve was a traitor (13:21), that Peter would disown Him three times (13:38), that Satan was at work against all of them (Luke 22:31–32), and that all the disciples would fall away (Matt. 26:31). The cumulative weight of these revelations must have greatly depressed them)
The One that should have been distressed was not only the disciple, but Jesus Himself. And He was not.
2. Content
A. The 3 commands v.1 not be distressed, believe in God, believe also in Jesus
not be distressed
(BDAG) to cause inward turmoil, stir up, disturb, unsettle, throw into confusion, fig. ext. of 1...in our lit. of mental and spiritual agitation and confusion...which can manifest themselves in outward tumult
(Lui) 你們心裡別震才不安了
The solution to be not to be distressed is by believe+believe v.1b. Believe in God+Believe also in Jesus.
B. v.2-4 the reasons for not being distressed
Repeated: terms related to places: many dwelling places, my Father's house, make ready a place for youx2, to be with me, where I am you may be too, where I am going.
i. the reason to not get distressed is because our hope is a place not in this world, but in the Father's house. First, this must be a wonderful place because this place belong to our dear Heavenly Father, the Creator of this beautiful universe. Second, the distressed of the disciples would not be relieved by the cancelation of the betray by Judas nor in the releasing of Jesus by Pontius Pilate. Same for today, our hope is not in this world, but in the One Who ultimately in control, He is Sovereign and above our current world.
ii. where the place is not that important, comparing to the fact that this place is where Jesus will make ready for us, and where He is, and he will be with us. This is a love-filled places. It was prepare for us and suitable for us. Jesus, the One who loves us so much that He will be with us all the eternity.
iii. this place has many permanent dwelling place for us to stay as well. No believer should doubt anymore that there is not enough space for them to be with the Father and with Jesus.
iv. Jesus will take us to be with him, but before that, Jesus was going to the Father first. Then he will prepare the place and make it ready. (NET) As Jesus would explain in v. 6, although for him the way back to the Father was via the cross, for his disciples the “way” to where he was going was Jesus himself.
Summary and reflection:
In the face of unknown future and foreseeable danger, do not be distressed, but believe in Jesus. It was because our heavenly Father is the One ultimately in control of everything. Our hope is one day we will be in His house. It is a wonderful place and a love-filled place prepared for us by Jesus' salvation. Jesus' love to us continues until eternity and He is willing to stay with us forever. He assured all His believers about their "occupancy" in this place, and the way to get there.
What is unsure and make me distress now? I do not have power to make them sure. Jesus has and He also shows me exactly His plan. Every details cry out "Sure" to me. Father's Sovereignty is "sure." His love to die for me is "sure." He will prepare a place for me and take me there. And there will be a place, a permanent state where He is, I will be also. Why do I look for so many unsure and look into myself to find security?
3. Supplementary
(NET) phrase in my Father’s house was used previously in the Fourth Gospel in 2:16 to refer to the temple in Jerusalem. The author in 2:19–22 then reinterpreted the temple as Jesus’ body, which was to be destroyed in death and then rebuilt in resurrection after three days. Even more suggestive is the statement by Jesus in 8:35, “Now the slave does not remain (μένω, menō) in the household forever, but the son remains (μένω) forever.” If in the imagery of the Fourth Gospel the phrase in my Father’s house is ultimately a reference to Jesus’ body, the relationship of μονή to μένω suggests the permanent relationship of the believer to Jesus and the Father as an adopted son who remains in the household forever. In this case the “dwelling place” is “in” Jesus himself, where he is, whether in heaven or on earth. The statement in v. 3, “I will come again and receive you to myself,” then refers not just to the parousia, but also to Jesus’ postresurrection return to the disciples in his glorified state, when by virtue of his death on their behalf they may enter into union with him and with the Father as adopted sons. Needless to say, this bears numerous similarities to Pauline theology, especially the concepts of adoption as sons and being “in Christ” which are prominent in passages like Eph 1. It is also important to note, however, the emphasis in the Fourth Gospel itself on the present reality of eternal life (John 5:24; 7:38–39, etc.) and the possibility of worshiping the Father “in the Spirit and in truth” (John 4:21–24) in the present age. There is a sense in which it is possible to say that the future reality is present now. See further J. McCaffrey, The House With Many Rooms (AnBib114).
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