The key to understanding the last speech and prayer of Jesus in John 13-17 lies in the fact that Jesus was leaving the earth in the way that the disciples had never expected or imagined. He was leaving, but he would be back to be with them in a very unique way. It was not easy for the disciples to know how Jesus actually would be with them, so he tried to explain it to them. He began by saying:

My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come (John 13:33).

At first, these words of Jesus sounded as though he would go to a far country where it would be difficult for the disciples to follow him. So, Peter asked:

Lord, where are you going (v. 36)?

Jesus replied:

Where I am going you cannot follow now, but you will follow later (v. 36).

As for the things that are easy for us to understand today, it was not easy at that time for the disciples to understand because they had no idea what was going to happen. Jesus went on to say:

Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live (14:19).

In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me (16:16).

Jesus was about to die, but the disciples would see him again. The most important point that Jesus wanted them to understand was that he would continue to be with them all the time even though he would no longer exist on earth physically. In other words, Jesus’ presence, even after his death, would be the same for the disciples as if they had him physically. But how was it possible? It was by the name of Jesus and through the help of the Holy Spirit. Oh, it must have been difficult for Jesus to explain it to them.

At the end of his prayer to the Father, he said:

Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world (17:24).

In these words, you can see how strongly he desires his followers to be with him. The name of Jesus is the same as the presence of him. And the Holy Spirit helps us to experience it. Jesus’ presence today is a spiritual reality, not a physical one, and the Spirit of truth guides us into it: that is to say, the Holy Spirit makes his presence real for us so that we can live as co-heirs with Christ. So, the name of Jesus and the Holy Spirit are the shares we receive as heirs of God, co-heirs with Christ. Through Jesus and together with him, we now have the same Father. Jesus further prayed:

I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them (v. 26).