If you really know me, you will knowmy Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”
9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.
First it was Thomas who was confused, now it is Philip. He is bewildered by Jesus’ talk of knowing and seeing the Father, so he asks Jesus to show them the Father. Jesus’ response was perhaps even more troubling for Philip and perhaps for us, but it needn’t be. Jesus is making it clear that if you wonder what your heavenly Father is like, then know with great certainty that he is just like Jesus. For a variety of reasons Christians can often develop the thought that God the Father is harsh and condemning and Jesus is kind and saves us from him. Jesus is emphasising for us that the Father is just as loving, kind, gracious and gentle as Jesus. The Father and the Son are distinct persons, but they are so alike in personality that if you know Jesus you know the Father. Jesus’ works and words are given to him by the Father.
The Father loves you; Jesus loves you and they have worked together to rescue you from your sin and its consequences. Sin is our problem, but our God has lovingly and perfectly dealt with it in Jesus’ saving work. Make today a celebration of your loving God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.