Monday 02 May 2011

Background

Jesus had already warned his disciples, "Little children, I amwith you only a little longer" (John13:33). It is hard to imagine their sorrow, distress eventerror at the thought of being left without him.

The words of Jesus in this passage have been a source of comfortand encouragement to Christians in times of sorrow and distressthroughout the centuries. He assures them that his separation fromthem is only temporary one and that he will return to each discipleat the moment of their death and take them to himself.

There is a new possibility here that while we are on the way weshall have a "place" (v. 3), not simply a destination of ourjourney but where we can be 'with the Lord' (1Thessalonians 4:17). The question put by Thomas (v. 5) revealshow imperfectly they have understood what Jesus has said but thedisciples' bewilderment gives Jesus the opportunity to tell themthat he is the "the way" and adds that to come to God is to knowtruth and life (v. 6).

Now Philip asks a question... Long ago Moses had prayed, "Show meyour glory" (Exodus 33:18) and he was granted a fleetingglimpse of that glory passing by. The promise that "the glory ofthe Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together"(Isaiah 40:5) is a much loved verse ofScripture.

To have a vision of God is a deep longing for many seekingdiscipleship. In verse 8 Phillip impetuously says, "Lord, show usthe Father and, we shall be satisfied" in response to Jesus sayingabout himself, "From now on you do know him and have seen him" (v.7). Philip has not yet understood the wonder of it that the Fatherdwells in Jesus.

To Ponder

It is good to question Jesus about things, as theanswers we come to enlighten our faith. What questions do you wantto ask Jesus?

Do you have a vision of God? What is it?