What happens when we don’t understand Jesus? How will He treat us? We can gain insight as we observe the disciples during Jesus’ farewell teachings. This happened after the Passover meal but before they went to Gethsemane the night before Jesus was crucified. Jesus wanted to prepare them for His death and resurrection.
Jesus had already told the disciples three times that He would die. The first time was after the feeding of the 4000. The second occurrence took place after the transfiguration, and the third as they traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover. But the Jewish expectation was that the Messiah would not die but live forever, so they had not understood.
Jesus had just told the disciples that they couldn’t come where He was going. But He would come back and get them, so they would always be with Him. The disciples were thinking on an earthly level, and Jesus was speaking spiritually.
Peter
Peter didn’t understand and responded to Jesus’ teaching. John 13: 37 “But why can’t I (Peter) come now, Lord?” he asked. “I’m ready to die for you.” [1] Jesus knew that Peter was not yet ready to die for him and prophesied that Peter would deny Him three times before morning. Even knowing what Peter would do, Jesus does not berate him. John 14: 1Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.[2] Jesus’ answer to Peter’s misunderstanding was to tell him to trust Him.
Thomas
Jesus had taught His disciples for three years, and as He explained His going, He told the disciples that they knew the way. Thomas didn’t understand and asked a question. John 14: 5 “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” [3]
Thomas’ question allowed Jesus to explain. John 14: 6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. [4] Thus, Jesus explained that the destination was God the Father, and the way to Him was Jesus Himself. It wasn’t a physical destination but a spiritual one.
Philip
Jesus had repeatedly explained that the Father had sent Him, but the disciples still didn’t realize that Jesus was God in human form. John 14: 8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” 9 Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father![5]
While Jesus may have been exasperated with the disciples’ lack of understanding, He doesn’t get angry; instead, He simply explains it again.
Us
We are no different than the disciples. There are times when we don’t understand Jesus and what He is doing. When we don’t know what we are doing, Jesus says to trust Him. We can ask Jesus questions, and He will answer without criticizing us. Even if we have missed the teaching, Jesus can repeat it. What a loving Savior who cares for us. To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/jesus-said-i-am-the-way-the-truth-and-the-life
[1-5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.