2/10/17
The earliest Christians followed a Jewish tradition of pausing to pray, preferably together, first thing in the morning, about mid morning, at noon, about mid afternoon, and in the evening. “Just a Note” posts are brief observations made from Scripture readings not related to a lectionary. If I have one to post, it normally appears about 9:00 in the morning, at “the hour of prayer.”
The words of Philip in John 14 are hard to grasp. Jesus has just been saying that he is the way, the truth, the life. He is the way to the Father. Now Philip tells him, “It’s all right, just show us the Father, we don’t really need you.” Is this false humility? Is it real humility?
Whatever Philip’s motivation, Jesus’ correction is crystal clear. Philip needs to look to him. The words Jesus speaks are the very words of the Father. We can believe Jesus’ words or we can believe his actions. Regardless, that is the only way to the Father.
How often we would like to set up our own approach to God. We wish to come to God on our own terms. We wish to mediate salvation through out talents, our intelligence, our senses, our reason. None of it will work. The only way to the Father is through Jesus. He is not shown in any other way.
What will we need to convince ourselves that Jesus is the Lord? There is no additional evidence out there. Especially as we see that Jesus is the one who has managed to die and rise from the dead, claiming he is doing it to bring us life, should we despise such a proof? I think not.
Will it suffice to show us the Father? Yes, says Jesus. It will suffice. And I myself show you the Father.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
The earliest Christians followed a Jewish tradition of pausing to pray, preferably together, first thing in the morning, about mid morning, at noon, about mid afternoon, and in the evening. “Just a Note” posts are brief observations made from Scripture readings not related to a lectionary. If I have one to post, it normally appears about 9:00 in the morning, at “the hour of prayer.”
The words of Philip in John 14 are hard to grasp. Jesus has just been saying that he is the way, the truth, the life. He is the way to the Father. Now Philip tells him, “It’s all right, just show us the Father, we don’t really need you.” Is this false humility? Is it real humility?
Whatever Philip’s motivation, Jesus’ correction is crystal clear. Philip needs to look to him. The words Jesus speaks are the very words of the Father. We can believe Jesus’ words or we can believe his actions. Regardless, that is the only way to the Father.
How often we would like to set up our own approach to God. We wish to come to God on our own terms. We wish to mediate salvation through out talents, our intelligence, our senses, our reason. None of it will work. The only way to the Father is through Jesus. He is not shown in any other way.
What will we need to convince ourselves that Jesus is the Lord? There is no additional evidence out there. Especially as we see that Jesus is the one who has managed to die and rise from the dead, claiming he is doing it to bring us life, should we despise such a proof? I think not.
Will it suffice to show us the Father? Yes, says Jesus. It will suffice. And I myself show you the Father.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
RSS Feed