A New Kind of Christianity - Brian McLaren [108]
John 14:6 comes in the middle of a particularly long conversation that begins in the previous chapter, throughout which the disciples are constantly confused and troubled because Jesus has said he’s going somewhere they cannot also go.21 It’s understandable that they would feel this way: their identity is wrapped up in being his followers, but Jesus says he is going somewhere they cannot follow. So, where is he going and why can’t they follow? The context makes it clear: he is going to be glorified and return to his Father—and this glorification will occur, paradoxically, through suffering and death. Meanwhile, even though they’re still traumatized by this “you cannot follow” statement, Jesus is making another point, his main point. He moves from what they now cannot do (follow with him to suffering and death) to telling them what they now must do:
I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (13:34–35)
Now, all the gospels seem to take delight in pointing out how the disciples just don’t get it, and here’s a great case in point. Jesus has just said to love one another, and he has highlighted these words dramatically by suggesting that they are among his last words to them before departing from them. In addition, he has used the provocative term “new commandment”—which suggests that he’s consciously mirroring Moses, inaugurating a new era as lawgiver with one overarching commandment in place of ten. He has demonstrated his love for them in deed (by washing their feet, taking the role of a humble servant) and now translates his teaching by example into a clear verbal command: “Love one another.”
But Peter treats all this as a distraction and returns to Jesus’s troubling words about going somewhere they cannot go. It’s as if a man creates suspense for his sweetheart by saying, “I went to a jewelry store the other day and bought something for you. I have a very important question to ask you. Your answer will change both of our lives forever. Would you be my…” But the woman interrupts, “Just a minute. Which jewelry store did you go to? And which car did you drive to get there? And what route did you take?”—oblivious to the fact that he’s about to propose to her. She just doesn’t get it, and neither does Peter.
Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now; but you will follow afterward.” Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Very truly, I tell you, before the cock crows, you will have denied me three times.” (13:36–38)
So, Jesus says, “Someday you may indeed follow me into suffering and death, but not now. Now—this very night—you will deny me.”22 No wonder Jesus’s next words are words of reassurance:
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. (14:1–3)
Many assume that “my Father’s house” means “heaven,” which sets up John 14:6 to explain how to go to heaven. But before we make that assumption, we should recall another episode from earlier in John’s gospel (a strange passage for several reasons23) in which Jesus also refers to his Father’s house:
Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. He told those who were selling the doves,