John 14:27-28 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (28) Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I."
John 14:31 "But that the world may know that I love the
Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go
hence."
The Bible actually says very little about the eternal heaven. I believe the
reason for that is because we would not be able to comprehend its description.
Paul gives us a little insight. He said he had "heard unspeakable words,
which it is not lawful for a man to utter." (2 Corinthians 12:4)
Paul quoted Isaiah in saying, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard,
neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared
for them that love him." It is my thought that heaven is far superior to
anything we have ever seen, heard, or imagined. Jesus gives some insight into
that place by His enthusiasm at the thought of going home to the Father.
"If ye loved me, you would rejoice." I'm going home. The wise
man Solomon referred to it as our "long home," a place for all
eternity.
Though the Bible says very little about the eternal heaven, God speaks much to
us about the kingdom of heaven. This is not to be confused with that place
where we will spend eternity. The kingdom of heaven is that which we can
experience as we go through life in this world. The eternal heaven is
ours because, and solely because, of the work of Jesus Christ in redeeming His
people through His death, burial, and resurrection. The kingdom of heaven can
be experienced by our obedience to the Word of God. What is the kingdom of
heaven? Paul tells us in Romans 14:17, "The kingdom of heaven is
righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." This is described as the
peace that passes all understanding and joy unspeakable.
Why do I bring in these two subjects? Jesus speaks of both of them in
this chapter. Earlier in the chapter, Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my
commandments." (John 14:15) Keeping the commandments of Christ
speaks of righteous living. The experience of His love in our hearts speaks of
peace and joy. Keeping His commandments is the key to kingdom living. Notice
what Jesus said in our text today. "But that the world may know that
I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise,
let us go hence." (John 14:31) Notice the connection between verses
15 and 31. Both speak of an expression of love and both speak of keeping the
commandments of God. If you love me, keep my commandments. I love my
Father; therefore, I do that which I am commanded.
Commanded? Yes, commanded. I go back to the words of Jesus once again.
"No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power
to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I
received of my Father." (John 10:18) Jesus said He received a
commandment of His Father. What was that commandment? Lay down your life.
But that was not the end result. As Jesus had power to lay down His life,
He also had power to take it up again. This was the commandment of the Father.
In that work (command), we have eternal life. But also Jesus gave us the
supreme example of that which is given to us. Jesus said, "I love my
Father; therefore I keep His commandment. If you love me, keep my
commandment." What was that command? Love God. Love one
another. By this shall all men know we are children of the most High God
and disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.