4/25

John 14:9

⁹Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?"

Philip had lived with Jesus for three years. The next day Jesus would be executed. Jesus had just explained that He is the only way to the Father. Philip asked for Jesus to show them the Father, and they would be content with that. Philip wasn't ready to die; he just wanted a burning-bush experience. He was asking for a revelation of God.

Jesus explained that His life was one continuous revelation of God. To see and hear Jesus was to see and hear God. They are one in essence, while being different persons. Is Jesus saying this to Philip in a note of surprise or sorrow? Philip had heard Jesus preach the upside-down world of the kingdom of God. He had seen Him demonstrate the truth of it by healing all who came to Him, casting out demons, and raising the dead. He was now seeing Jesus' utter lack of fear and His complete faith in the Father by going into Jerusalem and cleansing the temple one more time.

Many of us feel like Philip. We want to meet God on the mountain like Moses did. But we somehow discount the continual revelation in the Gospels and in nature, and the revelation of the Spirit in our daily experiences. Familiarity dulls our appreciation. Wouldn't you rather have a lifelong daily revelation than a one-time mountaintop experience? There is so much work to be done in our hearts that we need the continual work of God preparing us for eternity. Look for His work in your life today. As you do, recognize that in small ways, you are seeing the Father.

Consider: My prayer is that you are seeing Him more clearly day by day as you read these devotional thoughts.