Journal: Emmaus Journal
Volume: EMJ 02:2 (Winter 1993)
Article: Three Puzzled Persons
Author: S. Lewis Johnson, Jr.

---

EmJ 2:2 (Win 93) p. 173

Three Puzzled Persons

S. Lewis Johnson, Jr.1

An Exposition of John 13:36–14:11

Introduction

Some of the greatest themes of the Word of God appear in this section of the Upper Room Discourse. For example, there is the theme of heaven in one of our Lord’s most familiar texts, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2).

In the second place, there is the theme of the way of salvation. What text from John is more familiar than the following text, excluding John 3:16, where Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6)?

And, then, there is also an important text on the nature and attributes of God the Father. Philip asks the Lord Jesus, “Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us” (John 14:8). And Jesus’ reply is a magnificent revelation of the real nature of the Father, who is invisible to us men. He replied to Philip’s request in this way, “Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?” (John 14:9).

Of these themes the most important is the second in that it brings us to the central question of a saving relationship to God, out of which one may then go on to a continuing growth in the knowledge of the nature and being of God, and of heaven, our ultimate destination. If we are wrong here, then we shall be wrong about God at every point.

EmJ 2:2 (Win 93) p. 174

Dr. H. A. Ironside has told an amusingly tragic story in illustration of the point.

I remember one day leaving Los Angeles by train to go to San Diego. Shortly after we passed Fullerton, my attention was directed to an altercation going on near me. I had observed a little old lady who got on at a station some miles back. My attention was drawn to her because of the great number of bundles she carried. In one hand she had a cage, evidently containing a parrot, some kind of package held by one finger, a grip, and a bag; but she got in and put them all down about her, and filled the entire space where she sat. She was nicely settled when the conductor came around, and said, “tickets, please.” She handed him her ticket, ...

visitor : : uid: ()