On this final evening, as Jesus lingered with His disciples, it wasn’t just Thomas who didn’t get it. In John 14:1-14, Phillip struggled to understand who the Father was and asked Jesus, “Show us the Father.” Jesus spoke to Phillip, revealed the Father, and the power of their union.
Jesus Spoke to Philip
I think I hear some disappointment as Jesus said, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip?” Nevertheless, in His loving gentle and patient way, Jesus went on to explain that having seen Him, they had seen the Father. It was a matter of faith, of believing the words He spoke and the works He had accomplished.
Jesus Revealed the Father
There must be belief that Jesus is in the Father and the Father is in Jesus. Even the words Jesus spoke came not from His own imaginations but rather from the Father. It is He, the Father within the Son, that did the work. For His disciples, it was a matter of faith. “Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me,” This union, this oneness of two did not mesh with human reasoning. It demanded faith.
The Power of the Union
Power comes with believing in Jesus and the works that He does. Jesus said, “He who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.” Jesus in union with His Father would release the power to grow His Kingdom on earth. As His followers, “Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” There was a grand purpose! God the Father would be glorified in His Son, Jesus the Christ.