Hold onto your hats, folks! Last week, I embarked on a daring adventure - teaching my daughters by diving into every verse in John 14 through John 17. Today, get ready to put on your detective hats as we uncover the secret connections between Jesus' wisdom in these chapters and the quirky musings of the Apostle Paul. By playing detective and comparing the basic rules laid down by Jesus with Paul’s elaborate explanations, we'll crack the code on how to navigate this crazy world as reborn believers. So, grab your magnifying glass and join us on this wild ride as we unravel the mysterious harmony between Jesus’ parting words and Paul’s epic letters, unveiling a grand message of faith, grace, and a whole lot of love.
In the Gospel of John, chapters 14 to 17, Jesus is hanging out with his disciples right before he gets arrested and crucified. It's like a super cool teaching session. Jesus had already done some crazy miracles, talked about God, and dealt with some angry religious folks. But in these chapters, he talks about leaving his buddies, but promises that the Holy Spirit will always be there for them. It's a crucial moment because he knows he's about to be taken away. During this time, Jesus gets his squad ready for what's coming and assures them that he'll stick by their side. So, let's check out what he says in John 17.
Both Jesus and Paul teach about one God, the Father.
There is one God, the Father, who sent his Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
In John 17:3, Jesus says, "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."
In 1 Corinthians 8:6, Paul writes, “But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him."
Paul emphasizes the belief in one God, called the Father, matching Jesus' statement of the only true God who sent his son, Jesus Christ.
Both Jesus and Paul teach that Jesus is the way.
John 14:6 says, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Jesus comforts his disciples by assuring them that he is the way, the truth, and the life. He emphasizes that no one comes to the Father except through him.
In Ephesians 2:18, Paul reaffirms this with, “For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” Paul underscores that through Jesus, we have access to the Father, aligning with Jesus’ teaching that He is the only way to God.
Both Jesus and Paul teach the promise of the Holy Spirit.
In John 14:16-17, Jesus says, “If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
In John 14:20, Jesus continues, “At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.”
Both Jesus and Paul teach about God, the holy spirit, dwelling in us, and also Christ abiding with us forever. That’s God in Christ in You.
In Colossians 1:27, Paul writes, “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Paul expands on this in Romans 8:9: “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you…”
Paul confirms that the Holy Spirit dwells within us, giving us life and quickening our mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwells in us.
Both Jesus and Paul teach about the holy spirit, which teaches us all things.
John 14:26: Jesus says, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 2:10, "But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God."
Paul writes how the holy spirit teaches us spiritual things so that the eyes of our understanding will be enlightened in Ephesians 1:18.
Both Jesus and Paul teach about the Power of Prayer.
In John 14:13-14, Jesus says, “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” The refrigerator that glorifies God.
Paul emphasizes this in Philippians 4:6-7 where he writes, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Paul encourages believers to bring their requests to God with thanksgiving, building upon Jesus' promise that whatever we ask in His name, He will do. Psalms 37:4 says, “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” God is greater than our heart and knoweth all things (1 John 3:20).
Both Jesus and Paul teach about Love.
In John 15:9-12, Jesus says, “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” Jesus commands his disciples to love one another as he has loved them.
Paul emphasizes this in Romans 13:8-10, “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.” Paul underscores the importance of love, repeating Jesus' command to love one another.
Both Jesus and Paul teach about Overcoming the World.
In John 16:33, Jesus says, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Jesus spoke plainly to the disciples that they would experience sorrow and persecution, but he assured them of their ultimate victory over the world.
Paul says in Romans 8:37, “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”
Paul reassures believers that they are more than conquerors through Christ and that nothing can separate them from God's love.
Both Jesus and Paul teach about Joy.
In John 16:24, Jesus says, “Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." Here, Jesus is teaching his disciples about asking and receiving so that their joy may be full.
A verse from Paul that mirrors this concept of fullness of joy through believing, asking, and receiving can be found in Philippians 4:4-7 which says, “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Paul encourages believers to rejoice in the Lord and to bring their requests to God through prayer and supplication, with the assurance that God’s peace will guard their hearts and minds. This expands upon Jesus' teaching that through asking in His name, a believer's joy will be made full.
Both Jesus and Paul teach about Being Saved.
In several of His teachings, Jesus conveyed that salvation is not based on works but on believing and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. Here are some key passages from various verses in the Gospels.
In John 3:16, Jesus says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
In John 5:24, Jesus says, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."
John 6:28-29 reads, "Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."
These are key verses where Jesus teaches that believing (not works) brings salvation. Paul takes that and adds that salvation is not through works but by believing and confessing.
In Ephesians 2:8-9, Paul writes, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
In Romans 10:9-10, Paul writes, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
Both Jesus and Paul teach about Unity.
In John 17, Jesus prays to all future believers, asking for their unity and that they may experience the love and glory shared between the Father and the Son.
In John 17:20-26, Jesus says, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”
Paul builds upon that on with the holy spirit in Ephesians 4:3-6, “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”
Paul urges believers to maintain unity, reflecting the oneness Jesus prayed for.
Both Jesus and Paul teach about Doing All Things.
In John 15:5, Jesus says, "He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." Jesus emphasizes the necessity of remaining in Him to bear fruit and do all things.
In Philippians 4:13, Paul says, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Paul highlights that believers have the strength to do all things through Christ.
Summary
Alrighty, folks! So, basically, Jesus was dropping some serious wisdom in John 14-17 about believing and getting that sweet Holy Spirit hookup. Then comes Paul, like, "Hold my scroll," and goes into detail with all the nitty-gritty for those reborn peeps. When you blend Jesus and Paul's teachings like a smoothie, you get this epic guide to living your best life with faith, grace, and love. So, let's keep rocking that abundant life vibe, tapping into the power within us, and leveling up our knowledge with the OG teachings of Jesus and Paul. Dive into these lessons like a boss, and watch your spiritual journey go from zero to hero!
Comments