Jesus
said to him, “Have I been with you such a long time, and do you not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father. How do you say, ‘Show us the Father?’”
John 14:9
John 14 [6.] Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on, you know him, and have seen him.”
John 14 [8.] Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”
John 14 [9.] Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you such a long time, and do you not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father. How do you say, ‘Show us the Father?’ Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I tell you, I speak not from myself; but the Father who lives in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me; or else believe me for the very works’ sake. Most certainly I tell you, he who believes in me, the works that I do, he will do also; and he will do greater works than these, because I am going to my Father. Whatever you will ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you will ask anything in my name, I will do it.
Meaning:
- Revelation of the Father through Jesus:
In this dialogue with Philip, Jesus offers a profound revelation about His identity and the intimate connection between Himself and the Father. The question posed by Philip reflects a desire to witness the Father directly, to comprehend the divine essence. Jesus' response challenges and transforms this perception, asserting that seeing Him is, in fact, seeing the Father.
- Key Themes:
Intimacy of the Father-Son Relationship: Jesus' statement underscores the deep intimacy between Himself and the Father. The unity between the divine and human in the person of Jesus is so profound that encountering Him is akin to encountering the Father.
Visual Representation of God: The imagery of seeing Jesus as seeing the Father challenges conventional expectations of encountering the divine. It goes beyond a mere visual representation to an experiential revelation of God through the person and life of Jesus.
- Significance of the Verse:
The Incarnation's Profound Reality: John 14:9 encapsulates the profound reality of the Incarnation—the Word becoming flesh (John 1:14). Jesus, as the Son of God incarnate, serves as the tangible, visible manifestation of the divine in human form.
Access to God through Jesus: The verse highlights the accessibility of God through Jesus. Rather than a distant and unknowable deity, the Father becomes approachable and knowable through the life, teachings, and personhood of Jesus.
Relevance Today:
Understanding the Nature of God: In a world seeking to understand the nature of God, John 14:9 directs believers to look to Jesus. It encourages a deeper exploration of the Gospels to comprehend the character and attributes of God revealed through Christ.
Personal Relationship with God: The verse emphasizes the relational aspect of knowing God. It invites individuals into a personal and transformative relationship with the Father through their encounter with Jesus.
Navigating Spiritual Seeking: For those on a spiritual quest or seeking a connection with the divine, John 14:9 provides a clear direction. It points to Jesus as the revelation of God, inviting seekers to explore the teachings and life of Christ.
Cross-References:
Colossians 1:15: "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation." This verse from Colossians emphasizes the idea that Jesus is the visible representation of the invisible God.
Hebrews 1:3: "His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power." Hebrews reinforces the concept that Jesus is the perfect representation of the Father's essence.
In Conclusion: John 14:9 stands as a pivotal declaration, unveiling the profound reality of God's revelation through Jesus Christ. It challenges our perceptions of encountering the divine and invites us into a journey of understanding God through the life and teachings of the incarnate Son.
worship
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible