Daily Devotion, December 16, 2020

 

Devotion: Read John 14:8-10.

John’s gospel begins with the words, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.” Throughout John’s gospel we are given a picture and understanding of who God is in Jesus.

John 14 is often read to bring comfort during times of grief. But let’s read these verses today as if we are listening in on a very special conversation between Jesus and his disciples. Hear both the seriousness and light-heartedness of a conversation between dear friends. See the well-woven threads of profound truths and imagine the new realizations by Jesus’ disciples.

Jesus is preparing his disciples for his time of death, so there is a real heaviness and seriousness to this conversation. Jesus invites his disciples into this conversation with him.

Sincerely searching for answers, Phillip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”

In the middle of this serious conversation, I see a smile come upon Jesus’ face and a lighthearted voice with almost a chuckle asking, “Don’t you know me, Phillip, even after I have been among you such a long time?" And then I perceive Jesus with a sideways smile upon his face, contentedly saying, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.”

(These verses in John 14 are similar to other verses in John’s gospel; particularly in John 7: 28-29, and John 8:19 where Jesus declares that to know Him is to know God.)

We could begin answering Jesus’ question of “Don’t you know me?” , with Jesus’ own “I Am” statements and by even naming just a few of Jesus’ actions from John’s gospel. And all of these answers would be correct, but there is a deeper question here which goes to the heart of the matter summed up in Phillip’s words, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”  Personal Worship Option: The question Jesus asked Phillip is the same question which Jesus asks us today. We can fill in our name in Phillip’s place. “Don’t you know me, _______, even after I have been among you such a long time?” How would you and I answer Jesus’ question? Pause to ponder your answer. And hear afresh and anew Jesus’ response, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.”