As Jesus describes how we he and his Father want to be at home with us, it seems the disciples are not fully getting it. In John 14, verse 8, we read,
“Philip said, ‘Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.’”
At that comment, I wonder if any of the disciples thought, “Are you serious Philip? Jesus just said that seeing and knowing Jesus is seeing and knowing the Father.” Did that important fact just blow right over Philip’s head? Or is Philip thinking, “Where is the Father? I don’t see the Father anywhere. Show me the Father.”
I think many of us can understand what Philip is getting at. We want to see an undeniable proof of God’s existence. If we could just see God, that would be enough for us too, or so we think. Would a quick glance into the supernatural world sustain us for a lifetime? If we could see heaven for five minutes, or even 30 minutes, would we have strong faith for the rest of our lives? Maybe. Maybe not. But Jesus has just told the disciples that they have already seen the Father. We read that in the previous post. So Jesus has a response for Philip, and I wish I could see the look on Jesus’ face and hear his tone of voice in this response. It’s a doozy. Look at verses 9-11.
“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”? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 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 miracles themselves.’”
Yikes. I wouldn’t want to be Philip at that moment. But the reality is that you and I just might be in the same position that Philip was in, and we might be in that position many times. Jesus has just said essentially, “Philip, we’ve been together for nearly three years. I’ve talked about this before. Many times. In fact, I just said, ‘You know me, you know the Father, and you have seen the Father.’ And by the way, remember all the miracles!”
Some of us are forgetful. It seems to me that it is much easier to remember the bad times, the pain, the difficulty. We can forget the good times, such as the miracles God has done in our lives. Jesus calls Philip to pause and remember. Remember his teachings. Remember his miracles. Remember all that has happened over the past three years. There was a lot to remember and think about.
Jesus’ point is that when you put it all together, Jesus is in the Father and the Father is in him. This is a significant point that Jesus is making in this passage. Where Jesus is, there the Father is, and they want that place to be at home with each of us. It’s astounding to think about really. Then Jesus takes it up a notch with a teaching that is possibly even more astounding.
“I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”
Jesus is going to the Father, and that will open the door for two things:
- Anyone who has faith in him, will do what Jesus has been doing, and actually even greater things.
- When we ask for anything in his name, and he will do it, thus bringing glory to God.
As I think about these two things, clearly Jesus is not saying that he just really wants his followers to die so that they can experience some kind of special afterlife. Not even close. Jesus wants his people to be fully alive now, so that they and everyone can experience the abundant life now. Let’s look a bit more at each of the two things he suggests to help us experience that abundant life now.
First, in verse 9, when people have faith in Jesus they do what he did, and they do greater things than what he did. We might think that doing what he did is hard enough, maybe even impossible. The thought of doing greater things that Jesus did is unimaginable. But it’s not some random person saying this, not even a great Bible teacher. It’s Jesus, who is God, saying that our faith in him will impel us to do what he did and even greater things.
Notice then, that Jesus’ description of faith is active. Faith does things. Faith does Jesus-shaped things. Faith is not just ideas in our minds. Beliefs in our minds are fully intertwined with action. Faith is living a life in the way that Jesus himself lived. How did he live? That’s what this sermon series has been about. Jesus was the embodiment of the Fruit of the Spirit, inviting people to follow him, healing the sick, proclaiming Good News, loving others well.
But how can we do greater things than him? Isn’t that really impossible? Well, when Jesus ascended to heaven, he had 120 followers. They were located in Jerusalem. Now there are Christians numbering in the billions all across the globe. Greater things. Christians started hospitals, educational institutions, orphanages. Greater things. Christians eradicated slavery in some countries, started prison ministry, fed the hungry, clothed the naked, developed vaccines. Greater things. Christians create amazing works of art through music, writing, drama, and visual art. All Greater things. Christians start businesses and social enterprises to promote flourishing. Greater things. Christians get married and raise kids and grandkids. Greater things.
This doesn’t mean that we are better than Jesus. This doesn’t mean there isn’t work yet to be done. It just means that Jesus was right. Christians have and continue to do greater things, in his name, empowered by his Spirit, together.
Next, Jesus says in verses 13-14, that if we ask in his name, he will do whatever we ask. What? Is he serious? We’ll find out in the next post.
Photo by Thomas Schütze on Unsplash
Engaging Scripture 