John 14:1-14 (NRSV)
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Chapter 14"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. Verse 2In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? Verse 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.
Verse 4And you know the way to the place where I am going." Verse 5Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" Verse 6Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Verse 7If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him." Verse 8Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." Verse 9Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Verse 10Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Verse 11Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves.
Verse 12Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. Verse 13I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Verse 14If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.
Devotion
It doesn't take a long look at the many depictions of Jesus to realize that our pictures of Jesus are often attempts to create God in our image. The physical appearance of Jesus is elusive. So what comfort can we take in Jesus's words to Philip that if we have seen Jesus we have seen the Father? Much!
Jesus' physical appearance is beyond our grasp, but we can still perceive him. When we remember our baptisms, we see Jesus at work welcoming people into community, forgiveness, mission and eternal life. When we eat bread and drink wine in remembrance of Jesus, we see Jesus’ sacrifice for us and for the forgiveness of sin. When we linger with scripture, Jesus is revealed. There is much to be seen of Jesus. In seeing Jesus we are shown the Father who isn't always so easy to observe. In Jesus the mysteries of God become manifest. The love of God becomes palpable. The thoughts and spirit of God become conveyable. As we grow up into Christ those things become more accessible through us as well.
Prayer
God, continue to reveal yourself to us through Jesus. Continue to grow Jesus in us and reveal yourself to others through us. Amen.