If You Had Known Me
This post continues a study of John 14 that began with my post One Way which covered verses 1-6. In this post, I will continue the study from verse 7.
If you had known Me,
“If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.”
- John 14:7 NKJV
I don’t see it as much now, but for a while, it seemed like everywhere I turned I saw WWJD? bracelets. WWJD? stands for “What Would Jesus Do?” This is a great question that causes us to stop and reflect on our situation and then choose to behave in a manner that is in accordance with the way Jesus lived His life while here on earth. I do not have anything against this question. However, texts like the ones found in John 14 remind me that there is much to who Jesus was that remains beyond my grasp.
The picture of the disciples in each of the Gospels is that of dull, slow-learning humans. We, of course, must be careful not to judge them too quickly because if we had been walking in their sandals, we might have been even slower in perception.
- Borchert, G. L. (2002). John 12–21 (Vol. 25B, p. 113). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
I tend to look down on the disciples for taking so long to realize that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God, but of course, it is a lot easier for me. I have easy access to the entire Bible, not only that, I have also been taught by women and men of faith who have explained these truths to me. Imagine how challenging it must have been for the disciples to believe that this Man they followed, who looked like them, was indeed the Son of God? Not only that, I have met several people who claim to believe in God and study the Bible who still struggle with the idea of Jesus being God.
Imagine Jesus standing in front of you. Imagine you are one of the disciples. You have seen Jesus sweat, you have seen Him sleep, eat, etc. Maybe you have witnessed Jesus bleed, have callouses, messy hair. If there was no deodorant and shampoo back then I imagine Jesus smelled like the rest of the men and women of that time after a long hot day. Imagine now looking at Him and believing that you are seeing the Father. Imagine spending weeks and months and years with Jesus and believing that you know God!
I believe that the text is a rebuke to the disciples, who should have realized that “really knowing” Jesus would mean “really knowing” God. (Borchert, G. L. (2002). John 12–21 (Vol. 25B, p. 111). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.) It is also worth noting that the plural “you” is used in v. 7, so Jesus’ statement is not merely addressed to Thomas (v5). It is addressed as a general statement to all the disciples and thus to the Christian community. (ibid)
Show us the Father!
Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.”
- John 14:8 NKJV
Sometimes I imagine Jesus doing a facepalm. As I read through John 14 it seems like Philip wasn’t even listening to what Jesus just said. But as I thought about this more carefully I could the point made by G. L. Borchert, that “Philip’s words here are easy to understand because they represent the general human longing to gain a firsthand personal and practical confirmation of theological ideas and assertions.” (ibid) He also adds that “the idea of Jesus being one with the Father is rationally a hard idea for humans to accept.” (Ibid) Scholars continue to debate and argue and try to “find” a historical Jesus that is not divine.
Scholars seem to be continually seeking to discover a historical human Jesus between the lines of the Gospel texts. See the English versions of D. F. Strauss, The Life of Jesus Critically Examined (Philadelphia: Fortress, 1972); W. Wrede, The Messianic Secret (Philadelphia: Fortress, 1971); A. Schweitzer, The Quest for the Historical Jesus (New York: Macmillan, 1954); followed by J. M. Robinson, A New Quest of the Historical Jesus (London: SCM, 1959); and then the so-called third wave in J. D. Crossan, The Historical Jesus (San Francisco: Harper, 1991); R. Funk, R. W. Hoover and the Jesus Seminar, The Five Gospels: The Search for the Authentic Words of Jesus (New York: Macmillan, 1993); and R. Funk and the Jesus Seminar, The Acts of Jesus: The Search for the Authentic Deeds of Jesus (San Francisco: Harper, 1998). For responses see J. Green and M. Turner, eds., Jesus of Nazareth: Lord and Christ (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1994); B. Witherington III, The Jesus Quest: The Third Search for the Jew of Nazareth (Downers Grove: IVP, 1995); M. Wilkins and J. Moreland, Jesus Under Fire (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995); M. Borg and N. T. Wright, The Meaning of Jesus: Two Visions (San Francisco: Harper, 1999); and J. Charlesworth, “The Historical Jesus and Exegetical Theology,” PSB 22 (2001): 45–63. With respect to the Fourth Gospel see the discussion in Haenchen, John, 2.125, who represents one form of the quest when he states: “The Jesus of the Gospel of John thus already speaks as the risen Christ, and thus already with the clarity that only the spirit of truth can give to the disciples.” Moreover, he continues that the Jesus of this Gospel says “what the ‘historical Jesus’ cannot yet say.” The clear split between the Jesus of history and the Christ of the confessing church is evident in Haenchen.
- Borchert, G. L. (2002). John 12–21 (Vol. 25B). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
We might not be willing to admit it but we have a lot in common with Thomas and Philip, we long to have a confirmation of the reality of God. I believe there is compelling evidence for the existence of God, but don’t we all wish we could see Him?
Yet you have not known Me?
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.
- John 14:9 NKJV
One of the many challenges with looking at Jesus and seeing the Father is that we have a hard time wrapping our minds around this theological truth. It is difficult to explain and even more so to imagine. We have to use very careful language and end up with theological statements like:
Schnackenburg categorizes this dual “in-ness” of Jesus and the Father as a “reciprocal formula of immanence.” This close interdependent assertion is an affirmation of a close unity between the Father and the Son without assuming that the unity implies absolute identity (cf. 10:38).
- Borchert, G. L. (2002). John 12–21 (Vol. 25B, p. 114). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
I don’t think the disciples were very interested in philosophical and metaphysical theories of divine presence. I believe that many of you reading this are not too interested either. So we sit here believing the words of Jesus without being able to fully explain or to fully grasp the truth they convey. But, just because we can’t fully grasp it, it does not mean that we are not able to grasp it at all.
What I take away from this is that we should not try too hard to differentiate between Jesus and the Father in terms of character and love. The actions and teachings of Jesus reflect the character and values of the Father to the point that seeing and interacting with Jesus should give us the clearest understanding we could possibly have of who God is and what His heart is like. This understanding of God keeps me from seeing the God of the Old Testament as being any different from the God of the New Testament. The love and grace that Jesus presents us are a revelation of the love and grace of the Father.
The Power of Believing
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
- John 14:12-14 NKJV
John records several of these “double amen” (“truly, truly” or “verily, verily”) sayings of Jesus. This means that what Jesus is about to say is a very important statement. I should not have to tell you that there are many interpretations of what Jesus meant by this statement. For example, what does Jesus mean by “greater” works? What could be more dramatic than raising the dead (John 11:43-44), changing water to wine (John 2:7-11), walking on the Sea of Galilee (6:19), the multiplying of the loaves and the fish (John 6:9-14) or any of the amazing miracles Jesus performed?
The book of Acts helps us better understand what Jesus meant. Jesus continues to work miracles, except now He does so through the church, through His followers.
And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately.
- Acts 9:34 NKJV
This interpretation fits with the idea that by greater perhaps Jesus meant greater in quantity rather than quality. Christ’s activity had extended over a relatively small area of the world, and also for a short period. After the ascension, the gospel would spread to all parts of the world. (Nichol, F. D. (Ed.). (1980). The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary (Vol. 5, p. 1036). Review and Herald Publishing Association.)
Jesus’ earthly ministry was limited in time and space. He served the Father for three and one-half years and never outside the boundaries of Palestine. The disciples, on the other hand, as Acts clearly attests, carried out ministry that was greater geographically, in terms of numbers of people reached and long-lasting effect.
We find a leadership principle here as well. All parents should be able to say to their children; all pastors should be able to say to their staffs; all leaders should be able to say to their followers: “You have the potential to do greater things than I have done.” To empower and develop followers whose ministry exceeds the impact of their mentors is to follow the model of Jesus.
- Gangel, K. O. (2000). John (Vol. 4, pp. 266–267). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
“If you ask Me for anything in My name, I will do it.” - John 14:14 Berean Study Bible (multiple translations available here) is also interesting because the Greek construction makes this a conditional sentence. What is most intriguing is that the most likely reading of the Greek text here would have the prayer addressed not to the Father but to Jesus. It is also worth noting that the meaning of the expression here of asking me in my name, as H. Bietenhard has suggested, probably means praying both “according to his will” and “with the invocation of his name.” (Borchert, G. L. (2002). John 12–21 (Vol. 25B, p. 117). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
The fact that John can here speak of praying both to Jesus (14:14) and to the Father in Jesus’ name (cf. 15:16 and 16:23) would not likely trouble this Gospel writer because he would clearly see an intertwining of the two ideas in his thinking about God (cf. 1:1 and 20:28). The problem for Western Christians is that we usually define things by mean of distinction whereas the Semitic mind defines things by description or in picture-thinking. The overlap of Jesus and God in the statements of John may trouble us, but John was apparently not troubled. Therefore the Semite had no trouble in his Trinitarian formulation of speaking of God as the one who is, was, and is to come, the Spirit as the seven spirits, and Jesus as the firstborn from the dead (Rev 1:4–5)—and in that order. But we have come to speak of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—and in that order.
- Borchert, G. L. (2002). John 12–21 (Vol. 25B, pp. 117–118). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
But the invitation to pray for “anything” (14:14) in this context is not, in fact, to be understood as “anything” in the absolute sense because the guiding principle of the believer’s prayer must be the same principle that Jesus followed throughout his life. That principle was the glorification of the Father in and through everything done by the Son (14:13). To read this promise of Jesus concerning asking in any other way would be a complete misunderstanding of the promise. (ibid)
I love how this principle is described in the book the Desire of Ages.
He explained that the secret of their success would be in asking for strength and grace in His name. He would be present before the Father to make request for them. The prayer of the humble suppliant He presents as His own desire in that soul’s behalf. Every sincere prayer is heard in heaven. It may not be fluently expressed; but if the heart is in it, it will ascend to the sanctuary where Jesus ministers, and He will present it to the Father without one awkward, stammering word, beautiful and fragrant with the incense of His own perfection.
- White, E. G. (1898). The Desire of Ages (Vol. 3, p. 667). Pacific Press Publishing Association.
“And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.”
- 1 John 3:22 NKJV
“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”
- 1 John 5:14 NKJV
Obviously, just saying “in Jesus’ name” creates no magic potion for prayer. The culture in which these words were spoken took names very seriously, so much so that they equated one’s name with the character, spirit, and power of that person. That is why the Jews never spoke the name of Yahweh. (Gangel, K. O. (2000). John (Vol. 4, p. 267). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.) So it is important for us to continue to familiarize ourselves with what the Bible teaches regarding prayer. One thing is for sure, that there is power in praying in the name of Jesus, but that is also accompanied by reverence and deep desire and willingness to live our lives in accordance with His will.
As the will of man co-operates with the will of God, it becomes omnipotent. Whatever is to be done at His command may be accomplished in His strength. All His biddings are enablings.
– Christ’s Object Lessons p333
God’s Love Language
15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
- John 14:15-18 NKJV
If you were to look up John 14:15 in various English translations (here) you will notice that it is sometimes translated as an imperative, “keep my commandments” or as an indicative “you will keep my commandments.” This should not cause any concern since both options make theological sense. Those who love Jesus demonstrate their love by keeping His commands or words (John 14:21, 23-24; 8:31; 12:50). Obeying the commands of Jesus or abiding in His words all mean essentially the same thing. In a practical sense obeying His commands means copying the example that Jesus left us. Jesus never broke any of God’s commandments, because to do so would be to sin (1 John 3:4), and Jesus never sinned (1 Peter 2:22).
By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
- 1 John 5:2-3 NKJV
Jesus knew that in order to live as He lived we would need help, and so He asks the Father to send us another Helper. Living like Jesus cannot be done by sheer willpower and discipline, it takes supernatural help, it takes a miracle. Jesus does not abandon us to figure this out on our own. The Holy Spirit is available, we just need to ask.
“Just so long as the church is satisfied with small things will it fail of receiving the great things of God. Why do we not hunger and thirst after the gift of the Spirit, since this is the means by which we are to receive power? Talk of it, pray for it, preach concerning it. The Lord is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to us than parents are to give good gifts to their children.”
What we need most is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We should not be lowering God’s standard or making excuses for our failings and cherished sins, we should be asking God for the Holy Spirit to come upon us with power and cause us to be more like Him. It is impossible, without God’s help it is impossible for us to live like Jesus lived. But when we love Him, that is our desire, to follow His example in every way, and this should cause us to seek the Holy Spirit daily, and to love like never before. This will transform every aspect of our lives. This is God’s plan for us.
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
- Luke 11:13 NKJV
