Our scripture this week is John 14:1-14.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” 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 I do not speak on my own authority. 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 works themselves. Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they 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 Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
John 14:1-14
In this passage, Jesus speaks of what He will do for the disciples (and us) because we believe in Him. He says plainly “no one comes to the Father except through me” (verse 6). The disciples, Philip in particular, still have questions about the relationship between Jesus and our Heavenly Father, and ask to be shown.
Jesus doesn’t mind when we ask Him questions to better understand His teaching, but He doesn’t approve of asking for signs. This is why He seems concerned when Philip asks “show us the Father” (verse 8). He tells them if they have seen Him, they have seen the Father. Jesus explains that the things He says and does reflect God living in Him.
Jesus expects us to share His love with others by reflecting Him living in us. The very best way to honor Him and show we believe is to treat each other the way He treats us, with love and respect. Let the world know Jesus is in you!
Loving Lord, the world is a hard place sometimes, wrapped up in “proving” things. May we give proof of Your love by our outreach to everyone everywhere, sharing the joy of our connection to You. Amen.