At this point in Jesus’ discussion with his disciples, he makes a special reference to both his death and his resurrection, saying in a very short time the world will no longer see him, vis-à-vis he will be slain and buried, but they will see him. That is, he will rise from the dead and they will witness the fact that he arose from the dead, but the world will not be given that privilege (John 14:19). Moreover, Jesus also disclosed in what manner his disciples’ greater work (John 14:12) would be manifest to the believer. Because Jesus lives, because he was raised from the dead and declared to be the Son of God, they, vis-à-vis those who have believed him, will also live. Thus, Jesus pointed to their own resurrection or new birth (cp. John 3:3) in the spirit.
The Greek word in the text for see is theoreo (G2334) for both the world and Jesus’ disciples. Therefore, Jesus is making reference to his flesh. In other words, the world will no longer see Jesus in the flesh once he is dead and buried. However, Jesus disciples would see him in the flesh after he was resurrected. Nevertheless, this also would be for only a short while, after which even they would see (G2334) Jesus no more (John 16:10), because he was going to his Father. However, although they wouldn’t see (G2334) him in the flesh, they would see (G3700) him in a new a different way, because he would be with the Father (John 16:16).
In that day, that is, when Jesus has gone to be with the Father, then they would realize clearly and understand that Jesus truly had been in his Father and that now he is in the believer and the believer is now in him (John 14:20). Everyone who knows Jesus’ commandments and keeps them are they who prove they love him through their works. Moreover, the Father will love those who truly love Jesus, and Jesus will make himself known to each one who has shown he loves him (John 14:21).
For the fourth time Jesus is interrupted during his discourse in the upper room. This time it was by Judas (Jude Thaddeus), the brother or son of James the Less who asked a question. Jude wondered what Jesus meant by manifesting himself to believers but not to the world (John 14:22). It had always been believed by Jews that the Messiah would be manifest to the world. How else would a savior save his people. Therefore, Jude sought clarity of Jesus’ words.
Once again, we are able to see how difficult it is for a person holding one worldview to see a different worldview, as that understanding pertained to the same matter, in this case what the Messiah actually does, how and whom he saves etc. Remember, the Jews believed, and even many modern Christians believe, the Messiah was to (or, in the case of Christians, will in the future) set up a physical kingdom and rule from physical Jerusalem. However, how would a physical kingdom fit into the context of the Kingdom of God that no one but born-again believers would be able to perceive (cp. John 3:3)? How does a physical kingdom fit into the context of the Kingdom of God that doesn’t come with observation, but is, instead, found within the believer (Luke 17:20-21)? The one worldview is wrapped up in the flesh, and is, therefore, physical, while the other worldview speaks of the spirit and is, therefore, spiritual. The spiritual makes perfect sense to the believer, but the natural man sees only nonsense in such an understanding (1Corinthians 2:12-14).
Jesus replied to Jude, saying that everyone who loves him will be attentive to his words, vis-à-vis the Gospel message, not only obeying Jesus’ commandments, but guarding the Gospel from the mixture of man’s traditions (keep = tereo – G5083), something the Pharisees did not do with Moses’ words (cp. Mark 7:5-13). Therefore, he who loves Jesus can expect the Father and Jesus to come to him and make their abode with him (John 14:23). The word abode (mone – G3438) is the same word translated mansions or rooms in John 14:2. And, the Gospel message that Jesus preached was not his own, that is, it wasn’t something he thought up like the rabbis who corrupted Moses’ message. No! Jesus’ words were the same as the Father’s words (John 14:24), for Jesus and the Father are one (John 10:30). Therefore, if the believer continually permits the words he has heard from Jesus to abide in him, then he shall continue in the Father and the Son (1John 2:24), and they will dwell in him (John 14:23) and Jesus will make certain that the believer is aware of his presence (John 14:21).
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