Jesus has been speaking to his disciples, telling them how they should live in his absence. Judas has left the room to betray him.
Both Thomas and Philip are fixating on a literal journey and Jesus, with a hint of frustration, explains that he is (or represents) the Father.
Is this promise, "Ask in my name", just to Philip and the disciples? Or is it universal? What does it mean?
John 14: 15-27, The Counselor
“If you love me, keep my commands.
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—
17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
This is an interesting promise.
John 14: 18-21, Not Orphans!
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.
20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.
21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
As Jesus leaves, he promises a replacement for himself, the Counselor, who will not ever leave the disciples. The Christian now recognizes that Jesus is speaking of the Holy Spirit, provided more fully at Pentecost.
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