Devotionals

8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”

If only I had some proof!  It would be so much easier to believe if we had incontrovertible proof that Jesus was really God; that we will be saved by His sacrifice on the cross. That Jesus can forgive even us, after all we have done. Just show us some proof Lord!  But doesn’t God show us this proof every day if we simply look for it with open hearts?

9 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’? 10 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. 

I wonder if, in Jesus’ humanity, he was able to understand our human ability to disbelieve that which we see right in front of us. Has there ever been a time when someone told you they truly loved you, and yet you still could not believe it? Why do we doubt? Does this doubt help us in any way? Does it protect us? How can we deal with our own doubt?

11 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. 12 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. 

Jesus tells us just to believe – or at least believe on the evidence we have. There is always evidence. When someone truly loves you, they will show it in many small ways. It may take some communication to understand another’s ways of showing love. I once had a friend who told me he never said, “I love you” to his wife, except on his wedding day. He said if that changed, he would tell her! That would be a tough one for me! And yet, he claimed he showed his love for his wife every day by the things he did for her. It seems learning to read the signs might take some practice. When it comes to Jesus, the signs are there. We just have to pay attention.

13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

I think this might be a stumbling block for some people. Have you ever prayed for something and not received it? This has probably happened to many of us.   Did this make you think that that God does not answer prayers? Or just not your prayers? I remember a quote (but I don’t remember the author) that said, “I believe God answers prayers in one of three ways: 1) Yes. 2) Not yet, or 3) I have something better in mind for you.” Although this is very oversimplified, there may be some vital truth in it. God answers prayers, but not always in the way we expect or want. He may give us what we need rather than what we want, or God’s timing may be different. Do you believe God hears our prayers and answers them? 

15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 

At this point in the scripture, tensions are running high among the disciples. They have shared a Passover meal and Jesus has told them that one of them will betray him and one will deny him. He has told them he is going away, and that they cannot go with him at this time. Obviously, they are scared and upset. Jesus tells them that, even though he must leave, he will send another advocate (comforter, counselor) to be with them forever. Do you think that the disciples had any idea what Jesus meant by this? Did they trust Jesus enough to be secure in their faith in Jesus? Do you?

25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Verse 27 is one of my favorites. Jesus left behind his peace; he wanted the disciples to feel the kind of peace that he felt. Can you imagine what the peace of Jesus Christ feels like? More peaceful than anything we can imagine would be my guess! Jesus tells us that our hearts should not be troubled, and we should not be afraid. It is the world that makes our hearts troubled and afraid. But the peace of Jesus is so much more than the absence of trouble and fear. It is the ultimate peace that leaves no room for anything but joy and love. It is what we have to look forward to; not only that, but we can also begin to experience it here on earth when we allow it to break into our hearts. Come, Spirit, come!