(Verse 22) - This is Lebbeus or Thaddeus the brother of James and the author the Epistle of Jude. How is it... is probably a reference, in Judas' mind, simply to the resurrection. How is it that the risen Christ could be seen by the disciples and not by every one? The question is a logical one from a human perspective.  It is quite reasonable that Judas would ask it.  Jesus' answered is what is profound.

(Verse 23) - ...will keep my words... is a reference back to verse 15 and the concept of true faith and love for God shows itself in genuine obedience.  It is interesting that Jesus doesn't make reference to the resurrection of all.  Rather, he speaks to the larger issue of why it is that God reveals himself to some men and not to others.  The point here is that perceiving and understanding who Christ really is and submitting to his gospel is indeed a matter of obedience to God's command.  Obedience to the revealed command of God is something that only those who love God can do.  From a human perspective this is a circle.  Only those who genuinely love God can obey him; and that obedience demonstrates that they genuinely love Him.  However, once we understand that it takes intervention by God to enable one to love Him it becomes easy to understand how it is that obedience demonstrates that that love is present.  We cannot expect to perceive and relate to God apart from a genuine love for Him, which cannot be separated from the obedience that only comes from out of being rightly related to Him.

We will come to him is another startling statement of equality with the Father. It is not just the Father Who will come, but Christ as well.  This is a statement that no human being could possibly make.  Christ was about to die and had told the disciples as much.  No human being could promise to come back and be with followers.  It is especially so that no human being could or would dare to promise is that he would be back in the company of the Heavenly Father.  This is a claim that only one who was equal with the Father could possibly make.

We will come to him is also a statement of forgiveness and reconciliation.  The Father is at enmity with his creation.  Rather, the creation is an entity with the Father! There is a gulf fixed between the two that cannot be broached.  In order for there to be any relationship between the two there must be forgiveness and reconciliation.  This is what Christ is referring to here.  It indicates to us that what Christ is speaking of in this context is the issue of salvation.  The tie here can only be one of two things.  Either Christ is speaking of that obedience on the part of the creature that earns salvation, or He is speaking of the obedience to the command of the gospel to believe and be saved.  Because we believe it cannot be the former, it must be the latter.

There is a glory promised here that is marvelous.  This is the very fellowship that Adam forsook when he chose to partake of the forbidden fruit.  The wondrous fellowship that Adam had in the garden with God is the kind of a fellowship that is promised here.  Imagine it! Just as Adam walked with God in the garden in the cool of the day so also the believer walks with God in close fellowship because of what Christ has done.  If that is not something to look forward to, if that is not reason to submit ourselves to the gospel, that there is no reason.

This also speaks to the condition of man.  Note that there is implied here a separation between God and man.  Christ and the Father must "come to" the believer.  Sin has fixed a barrier between God and man.  Man is incapable of breaking that barrier himself.  It could only be breached by an act of God.  This indeed is what Christ promises here.  In the cross, the death that Christ was now approaching, that barrier would be pierced and fellowship between the Father and his creature would again be possible.  Christ is here underscoring both the presence of that barrier and it man's inability to get past it himself.

Make our abode-This is a figurative expression implying that God and Christ would manifest themselves in no temporary way, but that it would be the privilege of Christians to enjoy their presence continually. They would take up their residence in the heart as their dwelling-place, as a temple fit for their abode. See 1 Cor. 3:16: “Ye are the temple of God;” 1 Cor. 6:19: “Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost;” 2 Cor. 6:16: “Ye are the temple of the living God.” This does not mean that there is any personal union between Christians and God-that there is any special indwelling of the essence of God in us for God is essentially present in all places in the same way; but it is a figurative mode of speaking, denoting that the Christian is under the influence of God; that he rejoices in his presence, and that he has the views, the feelings, the joys which God produces in a redeemed soul, and with which he is pleased.

How do those facts apply to my life?:

Obedience or submission to the gospel is of key importance to all men.  The command of God to obey and submit to the truths revealed concerning Christ and the cross is universal.  There is no option here.  Men can resist and persist in their wicked rebellion against God, but that is not OK with God.  It is not their choice, but rather it is an expression of their wicked nature that will one day bring judgment from God.  Is the duty of all men to hear, understand, submit to, and obey the truth of the righteousness revealed from heaven in the gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is not God who prevents men from doing this.  It is their own wicked nature that confirms them in their sin.