Visible Light

I think Philip must have been from Missouri - you kow, the “show me” state. He’s just as much a doubter as Thomas, if not worse! Remember how Thomas got his nickname? After the resurrection, Jesus appeared to all the disciples but Thomas, and when they told him what had happened, Thomas didn’t believe their story, even though they were eye witnesses. And he’s been “Doubting Thomas” ever since. But it does make a certain amount of sense to doubt second-hand accounts.

But here the disciples are face to face with Jesus himself, eating the Passover meal in the upper room, and Jesus is trying to prepare them for what lies ahead. He has told them that he will be leaving them soon to go to the Father, and that they’ll join him there when the time is right. They still don’t get it. Thomas - the famous doubter - asks for a road map; Jesus, still patient, explains that he himself is all the map they need, in what is probably the best-known verse in the chapter: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” [v. 6- 7] You’d think this would be enough, wouldn’t you? They’ve followed Jesus around for the past three years, they’ve heard him say things like this before.

But you know, sometimes it just doesn’t matter what words we use. The underlying idea just isn’t going to connect. I found a great story that illustrates this point about an incident that took place to one particularly dense young recruit during basic training. The drill sergeant was explaining what was in store for his squad during the next two months. One youngster raised his hand and asked, “Sergeant, when do we get our guns?” The drill sergeant quickly corrected him. “Private, we don't have 'guns' in the army. We use the M16, A1 Military Assault Rifle. If I catch any one of you calling the M16 a 'gun' I'll have you drop and give me 50 pushups. Now then, Private, repeat your question.” The young man nodded and then said, “Yes Sir, Sergeant. When do we get our guns?” Has this ever happened to you? With your kids, or your spouse? Even if they can repeat your words right after you, the message hasn't actually sunk in.

The disciples know that when Jesus talks of “the Father,” he’s referring to YHWH God, the Lord of Hosts, their own Hebrew God, that of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Not too long ago they heard him say to the complaining Pharisees, “Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father.” [John 6:45b-46] They should be able to take his word for it, even if they don’t understand how exactly it’s going to work. But no. Philip has to issue an additional challenge. “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” [v. 8]

Well, the last time anyone asked to see God face to face was Moses on Mt. Sinai. ‘Moses said, “Show me your glory, I pray.” And God said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim before you the name, 'YHWH;' and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But,” he said, “you cannot see my face; for no one shall see me and live.” And the LORD continued, “See, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock; and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by; then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back; but my face shall not be seen.” [Ex 33:18-23]

So Philip knew perfectly well that he was asking for the impossible. Maybe he was just desperately grabbing at straws, using a delaying tactic so that Jesus would change his mind and stay with them. On the other hand, maybe he wanted Jesus to repeat the experience he had shared with Peter and James and John, when he was transfigured on top of the mountain back in Galilee before heading up to Jerusalem. Or maybe he really hadn’t grasped yet that Jesus the man and the Holy One of Israel himself were one and the same.

So Jesus underlines what he had already told them. “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'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? [v. 9-10]