A Most Disappointing Question

Jesus said, “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him and have seen Him.  Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.”  (John 14:7-8).

Did you ever have someone ask you a question or make a statement that sent shivers up your spine?   I believe Philip’s comment to Jesus did that very thing to the Master.  He had spent three years preparing the twelve for that day, when His tenure on earth was over and He would return to the Father.

They were there when Jesus turned the water into wine; they were there when He healed the woman with the issue of blood; they were their when He touched the leper and removed the leprosy; they were there when He walked on water and calmed the sea and they were there when He raised Lazarus from the grave.

And now, the night of His last supper with them; the night He humbled Himself by washing the disciple feet; the night He announced to the disciples and to the world that “Now the Son of Man is glorified. He served His disciples the wine and bread and said, “This is My
body which is given to you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

Would that not be enough?  But note Simon Peter’s question: “Lord, where are you going?” Then Thomas’ question: “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?”  Do you think that Jesus might have been a wee bit depressed?  Did He lose faith in his hand-picked twelve?  

 I thought about the questioning of the disciples, knowing their dreams had been dashed, learning His tenure with them would soon come to a close.  Think about that, if you had just spent three years of your life following, learning, and modifying life-styles, would you not have been in a dither when You heard Him say, “I must leave you soon?” 

And on the day when His words became reality at a place called Calvary, would you not have felt that your very life had come to an end?  Does it not sometimes take tragedy to get our heads cleared and headed in the right direction?  That came for the eleven came when gathered together, “Suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind and filled the whole house where they were sitting.  And there appeared to them tongues of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them.  And they were filled with the Holy Spirit”. (Acts 2:2-4).  

And, at that moment, the prophecy of Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you, He will not fail you o forsake you”, was fulfilled.    

Notice Jesus words: ”I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you. After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also” (John 14:19-20).

So, I ask you this morning, have you humbled yourself before Jesus lately and let Him wash your feet?  Have you partaken of the fruit of the vine and the bread in commemoration of the tremendous price He paid to relieve you of your sin burden?   What say you?

Blessings,

Gramps