John 14:8-11

Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how do you say, `Show us the Father'?"Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works."Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me; otherwise believe on account of the works themselves.

 

Notes:

1. Setting/Intro: Although Jesus has just taught the disciples that those who know Him know the Father, Philip asks to see the Father.
2. Jesus puts the principle he has just taught in reverse:
1. Principle: Those who know Jesus know the Father.
2. Reverse: If Philip doesn’t know the Father, he doesn’t know Jesus.
3. Point: But Philip knows Jesus. How can he say, “Show us the Father”?
3. What is required to understand this:
1. We must believe Jesus when He teaches that He is in the Father and the Father is in Him.
2. We must believe Jesus when He claims that He speaks only the Father’s words.
3. We must believe Jesus when He announces that the works He does are His Father’s works.
4. Jesus appeals to His disciples to believe Him, and if they have a hard time with that, to believe the works He has done (which are clearly God’s works, not man’s)

 

We still have a record of Jesus words, His claims that 1) He is in the Father and the Father is in Him and that 2) He speaks only the Fathers words. We still have a record, also, of Jesus’ works. When we examine Jesus’ words, is it not clear that they are from God? But some are skeptical. Anyone can say good things, right? Anyone can make great claims, right? Aren’t there many religions based on pretty good teachings? What is it that makes Jesus’ words so distinct? Rather than trying to overcome this skepticism with more words, Jesus appealed to His works. Did man do them, or did God? As soon as we recognize that Jesus works are from God, we should understand that His words are from God. And His words include the claim that He is in the Father and the Father is in Him. If a person knows Jesus, he knows the Father. Their words are the same, and so are their works. If we believe we know Jesus’ character, heart, thoughts, power, authority, and glory because we have the record of His words and actions, then we know the Father’s character, heart, thoughts, power, authority, and glory – we have His words and actions recorded, too.

 

Father, thank You that You have revealed Yourself to me and to all. Continue to show everyone Your words and Your powerful works through Jesus Christ so that they may know Him and You. Thank You that I do not have to see You to know You, because You continue to speak to people through Your Word. May I listen to You carefully so that I know You better.