Sun,
Jul 27
1. JESUS ANNOUNCES HIS RETURN TO THE FATHER
a. With what words did Jesus announce the end of His mission on earth? John 13:33. What other message did He convey? John 13:34, 35.
“One of Christ’s last commands to His disciples was ‘Love one another as I have loved you.’ John 13:34. Do we obey this command, or are we indulging sharp, unchristlike traits of character? If we have in any way grieved or wounded others, it is our duty to confess our fault and seek for reconciliation. This is an essential preparation that we may come before God in faith, to ask His blessing.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 144.
b. What conversation took place between Peter and Jesus concerning the Lord’s departure? John 13:36–38.
“Many today stand where Peter stood when in self-confidence he declared that he would not deny his Lord. And because of their self-sufficiency, they fall an easy prey to Satan’s devices. Those who realize their weakness trust in a power higher than self. And while they look to God, Satan has no power against them. But those who trust in self are easily defeated.”—Our High Calling, p. 307.
Mon,
Jul 28
2. A MESSAGE OF COMFORT
a. While still in the upper room, what comforting words did Jesus speak to His disciples and what promise did He make to them? John 14:1, 2.
“[John 14:1–4 quoted.] For your sake I came into the world. I am working in your behalf. When I go away, I shall still work earnestly for you. I came into the world to reveal Myself to you, that you might believe. I go to the Father to cooperate with Him in your behalf. The object of Christ’s departure was the opposite of what the disciples feared. It did not mean a final separation. He was going to prepare a place for them, that He might come again, and receive them unto Himself. While He was building mansions for them, they were to build characters after the divine similitude.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 663.
b. What important event did Christ include in His message? John 14:3.
“The promise of Christ’s second coming was ever to be kept fresh in the minds of His disciples. The same Jesus whom they had seen ascending into heaven, would come again, to take to Himself those who here below give themselves to His service. The same voice that had said to them, ‘Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end,’ would bid them welcome to His presence in the heavenly kingdom.”—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 33.
c. What question did Thomas ask Jesus concerning the way, and what answer did he receive? John 14:5, 6.
“There are not many ways to heaven. Each one may not choose his own way. Christ says, ‘I am the way: . . . no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.’ Since the first gospel sermon was preached, when in Eden it was declared that the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent’s head, Christ had been uplifted as the way, the truth, and the life. He was the way when Adam lived, when Abel presented to God the blood of the slain lamb, representing the blood of the Redeemer. Christ was the way by which patriarchs and prophets were saved. He is the way by which alone we can have access to God.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 663.
Tue,
Jul 29
3. GOD IN HUMAN FLESH
a. How did Jesus identify Himself with the Father—and how does this relate to us? John 14:7.
“Christ came to reveal God to the world as a God of love, full of mercy, tenderness, and compassion. The thick darkness with which Satan had endeavored to enshroud the throne of Deity was swept away by the world’s Redeemer, and the Father was again manifest to men as the light of life.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, pp. 738, 739.
b. What petition did Philip make to Jesus, and what was the significance of the Lord’s response? John 14:8–11.
“When Philip came to Jesus with the request, ‘Show us the Father, and it sufficeth us,’ . . . Christ declares Himself to be sent into the world as a representative of the Father. In His nobility of character, in His mercy and tender pity, in His love and goodness, He stands before us as the embodiment of divine perfection, the image of the invisible God.”—Ibid., vol. 5, p. 739.
“Christ emphatically impressed upon them the fact that they could see the Father by faith alone. God cannot be seen in external form by any human being.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 5, pp. 1141, 1142.
“Christ had not ceased to be God when He became man. Though He had humbled Himself to humanity, the Godhead was still His own. Christ alone could represent the Father to humanity, and this representation the disciples had been privileged to behold for over three years. . . .
“Their faith might safely rest on the evidence given in Christ’s works, works that no man, of himself, ever had done, or ever could do. Christ’s work testified to His divinity. Through Him the Father had been revealed.
“If the disciples believed this vital connection between the Father and the Son, their faith would not forsake them when they saw Christ’s suffering and death to save a perishing world. Christ was seeking to lead them from their low condition of faith to the experience they might receive if they truly realized what He was—God in human flesh.”—The Desire of Ages, pp. 663, 664.
Wed,
Jul 30
4. GREATER WORKS = GREATER BLESSINGS
a. What great possibilities did Jesus offer His disciples? John 14:12.
“The Saviour was deeply anxious for His disciples to understand for what purpose His divinity was united to humanity. He came to the world to display the glory of God, that man might be uplifted by its restoring power. God was manifested in Him that He might be manifested in them. Jesus revealed no qualities, and exercised no powers, that men may not have through faith in Him. His perfect humanity is that which all His followers may possess, if they will be in subjection to God as He was.
“ ‘And greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father.’ By this Christ did not mean that the disciples’ work would be of a more exalted character than His, but that it would have greater extent. He did not refer merely to miracle working, but to all that would take place under the working of the Holy Spirit.
“After the Lord’s ascension, the disciples realized the fulfillment of His promise. The scenes of the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Christ were a living reality to them. They saw that the prophecies had been literally fulfilled. They searched the Scriptures, and accepted their teaching with a faith and assurance unknown before. They knew that the divine Teacher was all that He had claimed to be. As they told their experience, and exalted the love of God, men’s hearts were melted and subdued, and multitudes believed on Jesus.”—The Desire of Ages, pp. 664, 667.
b. What assurance did Jesus give to bring hope in all ages? John 14:13, 14.
“As yet the disciples were unacquainted with the Saviour’s unlimited resources and power. He said to them, ‘Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name.’ John 16:24. He explained that the secret of their success would be in asking for strength and grace in His name. He would be present before the Father to make request for them. The prayer of the humble suppliant He presents as His own desire in that soul’s behalf. Every sincere prayer is heard in heaven. It may not be fluently expressed; but if the heart is in it, it will ascend to the sanctuary where Jesus ministers, and He will present it to the Father without one awkward, stammering word, beautiful and fragrant with the incense of His own perfection.”—Ibid., p. 667.
Thu,
Jul 31
5. A SPECIAL TIME
a. Describe the special moment the disciples had with Jesus as He explained His connection with the Father (John 14:8–10)—and how we, too, may enjoy such communion with Heaven. Song of Solomon 2:3, 4.
“As Christ was speaking these words [in John chapter 14:8–10], the glory of God was shining in His countenance, and all present felt a sacred awe as they listened with rapt attention to His words. They felt their hearts more decidedly drawn to Him, and as they were drawn to Christ in greater love, they were drawn to one another. They felt that heaven was very near them, that the words to which they listened were a message to them from the heavenly Father.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 5, p. 1142.
“There are many professing Christians who are anxious and depressed, many who are so full of busy activity that they cannot find time to rest quietly in the promises of God, who act as if they could not afford to have peace and quietness. To all such Christ’s invitation is: ‘Come unto Me, . . . and I will give you rest.’ . . .
“Let us turn from the dusty, heated thoroughfares of life to rest in the shadow of Christ’s love. Here we gain strength for conflict. Here we learn how to lessen toil and worry, and how to speak and sing to the praise of God. Let the weary and the heavy-laden learn from Christ the lesson of quiet trust. They must sit under His shadow if they would be possessors of His peace and rest.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7, pp. 69, 70.
“When the Lord’s people are filled with meekness and tenderness, they will realize that His banner over them is love, and His fruit will be sweet to their taste. They will make a heaven below in which to prepare for heaven above.”—Ibid., p. 131.
Fri,
Aug 1
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. How can I avoid the pitfall into which Peter sank?
2. In light of Christ’s promise of a mansion for me, what is my duty on earth?
3. How am I enabled to accomplish the works of Jesus?
4. How did Jesus comfort the disciples when they heard of His departure?
5. What does Jesus mean by “greater works” to be done—and how?