Gospel of John, Chapter 14 (Dialogue with the Apostles)
Chapter 14 of John continues the narrative of the last supper. In John 13, Jesus Christ leads by example. He washes the feet of the disciples, but he says relatively little. In John 14, Jesus Christ, our Lord answers four very important question. The questions that his disciples ask are profound question that we all do or should ask. They are as follows. Why can't we follow Jesus to Paradise right now? If we must wait to follow Him, then, when the time is right for us to follow Him, how will we know the way? How can we know God the Father? And, finally, why does God manifest Himself to some, but not others.
The answer to the first question, by Peter of, "why can't I follow you now?" (John 13:37) is Peter himself. "The cock will not crow before you deny me three times." (John 13:38) We all wish for Heaven, but that does not mean that we are ready for Heaven. Nor can we quest for our salvation. The ancients knew this. Even pagen heroes like Gilgamesh fell short when seeking eternal life. No, eternal life must be a gift of God. We must patiently wait and receive it. "I will com back and take you to myself," (John 14:3) Christ our Lord assures us. This answer requires faith on our part, but it is the true answer.
The second and third questions have the same answer. Thomas asks, "how can we know the way?" (John 14:3) Philip demands of Christ, "show us the Father." (John 14:8) But Jesus Christ is the way to eternal life, and it is through Him that we see the Father. If you are lost, look to Jesus. If you wish to see God the Father, look to Jesus.
Note that Jesus does not first point to His actions, His miracles as a reason to believe (John 14:11), but His words (John 14:10). Words can be abstract and ephemeral, but Jesus Christ concretely embodies and is the Eternal Word. Jesus gives God a human face in the sense that we are more able to relate to the human being, Jesus Christ than the more mysterious God of the Old Testament. Then as now, though, it is the eternal Word of God that saves -- not physical miracles. Lazarus was raised from the dead, but he died again. The Israelites in the desert, who ate the manna God gave them, also died. Fideltiy to God's word gives us a much greater gift -- God Himself in all of His eternity.
Finally, Judas asks my favorite question of the dialogue. "Master, what happened that you will reveal yourself to us and not the world?" This is a question we ask all the time. God, why don't You give us a sign? Jesus answers him, "whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him." This doesn't see like much of an answer, but Jesus isn't avoiding the question. Rather, He is putting things in their proper order. If we love God, then we are ready to receive Him. If not, then all the miracles and scientific proofs in the world won't bring us closer to Him.
Interspersed with these answers is a discussion of the Holy Spirit. As mysterious as these questions are, each person of the trinity is yet more mysterious. God the Father of the Old Testament seems distant and mysterious because He is a God whose face we do not see and whose name we do not say. In Jesus, we see God's face, and say His name. He has gone before to take His seat at the right hand of the Father. Yet, we feel separated from Him by time and space. The Holy Spirit is our Advocate and Counselor. If we know the Father through Jesus, then we also may know Jesus through the Holy Spirit.
Yet, we hear the voice of God speaking to Moses. We hear Jesus' voice calling out to the apostles. Do we ever clearly hear the voice of the Holy Spirit? The person of the trinity who is most close to us is also infinitely far and infinitely mysterious. If there is one thing we can learn from Peter, Thomas, Philip and Judas, it is that we must have faith and allow God to reveal Himself to us in His time and His way.