28 I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.”
Verse 28 is a summary of Jesus’ mission on earth.
28 I came forth from [from within] the Father
“Came forth” in the Greek is one act (aorist tense). Jesus stepped foot on earth at one point from eternity past in His incarnation. He existed in eternity as God with the Father (Jn 1:1).
Note two different words that Jesus used for leaving the Father: (1) the first in the previous verse, where Jesus came from “alongside” the Father and (2) in this verse, when He came “from within” the Father. The first word carries the idea of authority; Jesus was commissioned by the Father (Jn 1:6). The second word gives the idea of source. The incarnate Son revealed the nature of the Father.
and have come into the world.
Jesus took on a human body; He became incarnate. He came out of eternity at one point in the past with the result that He remained on earth to this point (perfect tense).
Again,
The Lord added a further note because the departure of the incarnate Jesus would be traumatic to the apostles after spending three years with Him.
I leave the world and go to the Father.”
Jesus would voluntarily return to the Father by His ascension (Jn 10:17-18). He will do two things: (1) “leave” and (2) “go.”
PRINCIPLE:
Both Jesus’ heavenly origin and destiny place the Father’s seal on our Lord’s saving work.
APPLICATION:
The ascension of Christ guarantees the believer’s resurrection and acceptance with the Father. There is no doubt that the believer will be accepted by the Father.
