The exchange between one particular disciple and Jesus found in John, chapter 14, is a bit discouraging. And yet, at the same time, has some undertones in it that resemble me from time to time.
Philip had been with Jesus since the very beginning.
In fact, some scholars speculate that he was first a disciple of John the Baptist.
The calling of Philip by Jesus can be found in John 1:43, with the simple words, “Follow Me.”
In leaving it all behind, Philip answered the call to be with the Master.
It is understood that he was likely among the disciples who were with Jesus at the wedding feast in Cana, where Jesus performed His first miracle of turning water into wine.
Philip can also be attributed to having great interest in recruiting others into this mission field, calling Nathanael to be a part of the band of brothers in John 1:46, replying to the skepticism of Nathanael who had just asked, “Can anything good from Nazareth.” Philip responds, “Come and see for yourself.”
In this exchange, it would seem as though Philip were saying, “YES! Something good CAN come from Nazareth… and I can’t WAIT to show you! Come with me and SEE FOR YOURSELF!”
Such confidence he possessed at the time.
And all of this assurance before the experience of any divine revelation, or miracle working power displayed before his eyes!
And yet a skip to the end of the book and we see it.
Perhaps a bit of doubt creeping in.
A setback of sorts for the disciple who had, “been with Jesus” all along.
We read it in his words. John 14:8.
“Lord, show us the Father and we will be satisfied.”
“Show us.”
Wait… but hadn’t he been privy to the Father all along?
In fact, that is the response of our Jesus in that moment.
“Have I not been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am?” You can sense the discouragement and sadness in His tone here. He continues, “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show Him to you?” (John 14:9)
And this, sadly, wasn’t the first time they had heard these words of Jesus.
In fact, He had been repeating this mission to them since day one.
And yet they still didn’t see it.
They didn’t understand that by seeing Jesus - they were seeing the Father.
And the word, Father, here is different than we might be thinking.
The Greek word used here is Patera, and it means male parent, or leader.
"Father" here is used to describe the divine nature of God as A father and not distinctly as in God the Father of the Trinity.
Ahh… and this makes it more personal in my opinion.
Not as THE Father, but as A father.
To possess paternal characteristics.
To be a protector.
To be a leader.
To be the head of an established family line.
To be a defender.
All the things we think of when we think of “father”, Philip was asking to see in Jesus.
And Jesus’ response was simple, “If you’ve seen Me, you’ve seen Him.”
He goes on to say this, “The words I speak are not My own words, but My Father who lives in Me does His work through Me.” (verse 10). And then this, “Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me.” (verse 11a). Oh and then the final words directed at Philips heart, “Or at least believe because of the work you have seen Me do.” (verse 11b)
Oh Philip.
You can see Jesus’ slight transfer of verbs here.
First it’s, "know" Me.
Then it’s, "see" Me.
Now it’s, "believe."
And if all else fails… can you remember what I’ve done?
The mission of Jesus was not complicated.
It was this: to reveal the Father.
To demonstrate His goodness in the earth.
To make Him fully known through His life this side of His eternal home.
So it must be mine too.
To reveal Jesus.
To demonstrate His goodness.
To make Him fully known.
And if they can’t believe based on what I say, can they remember, with one glance at my life… my character.. my patterned representation of Him… all He has done and be convinced of His great love for them!?
Could my main objective… shouldn’t my main objective be… to make known the Father to those who don’t yet know or see or believe?
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