Many Bible reading plans have people read a certain number of chapters each day. If you were doing that kind of plan, and the dividing line came at the end of John 13, on one day you would read about Jesus’ prediction that Peter would deny him three times. And you would lay your Bible down (or close the window at Biblegateway.com) thinking about Peter’s impending failure.
The next day, you would start reading in John 14 about Jesus going to prepare a place for his followers. And unless you were very disciplined in remembering what you read previously, you wouldn’t connect the story of Peter with the story of many houses.
Or maybe your reading plan includes both chapter 13 and 14 on the same day, but the big white space and the fact that chapter breaks “always” reflect breaks in thought let you separate the stories.
But the more I look at this section of John, where Peter raises the question most on his mind (where are you going) and where Jesus answers Peter’s question (I’m going to get stuff ready for you), the more I see Jesus connecting the two. Peter’s fervent affirmation that he would follow Jesus grew out of fear. If Jesus left, Peter was losing everything. His teacher, his calling, his work, his new name. If Jesus left, he had nothing. No wonder he was so intense.
And Jesus says two things:
1. you are going to deny me.
2. but relax, I’m not staying gone.
Both are answers to Peter and to the rest of the disciples. Both say that there is a difference between how things look at the moment and how things really are. And the connection would be missed if we let the chapters (and the headers) distract us from the story.
Read for the story.
300 words a day 
Robyn
I’ve read these chapters so many times but today I gleaned new insights thank you!
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Jon Swanson
welcome to what I discovered!
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Frank Reed
Jon – Wow. I had not connected these two chapters like this before and it is such a powerful example of just how quickly the Lord forgives and moves on with regard to our sin and humanity when we are aligned with Him. It’s so powerful and moving it can bring one to tears when the implications of that level of love come to light.
Chapter 14 also highlights a personal favorite for me in Thomas. He gets tough treatment by Christians but he was sincere and sometimes that all we can offer God is sincerity. Thomas sets the stage for the most controversial (and awesome) phrase ever spoken ” I am the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”
Take care and thanks for your daily help here at 300 Words.
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Jon Swanson
Yep. We’ll get to Thomas. A year or so ago, I realized that set-up of Thomas’ and had the same response you have, he wasn’t particularly awful, he was working out of his personality. And coming to faith with the way of understanding he was built with.
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Rich Dixon
Great reminder that God didn’t give us an academic theology book. He revealed Himself through stories about people and relationships. Apparently He thought that was the best strategy, so maybe we should remember to focus more on the stories, including context and characters, if we really want to understand His message.
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Jon Swanson
Yep, it’s a book (or better, a collection of books) but not a theology book, at least not a systematic one. Thanks Rich.
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