Barefoot Follower

Inviting Reflection on the Stories of Jesus

  • Introduction
  • Mosaic
  • Lectionary
    • Sermons
  • Reflections
    • Gospel of Matthew
    • Gospel of Mark
    • Gospel of Luke
    • Gospel of John
  • Reviews
  • Contact
You are here: Home / New Testament Reflections / Gospel of John / An Advocate from the Father: A Reflection on John 14:8-17 (for the Day of Pentecost, Sunday, May 19)

An Advocate from the Father: A Reflection on John 14:8-17 (for the Day of Pentecost, Sunday, May 19)

May 16, 2013 By Mark Beresford

Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.’ Jesus said to him, ‘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? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.

 

‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you for ever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. (NRSV).

Philip’s question comes amidst Jesus’ claim that he is ‘going away’.

The disciples are uncomfortable. They are used to Jesus’ presence. They are also confused by this claim that they already ‘know the way’. Jesus tried to clarify: ‘I am the way the truth and the life’. They remain dumbfounded.

Is he really so sure they know the Father in the same way they know him?

It is a big claim. The disciples have walked the roads of Israel with Jesus. They ate their meals with him and witnessed him heal with a touch. Perhaps no one knows him better than these eleven faithful men. Indeed, they are of the few who could truly say that Jesus: ‘…lived among us and we have seen his glory…’.

But it is for them a leap of faith to equate this pilgrimage with knowing ‘the Father’.

So Philip asks to see God.

Jesus’ does not respond by tearing apart the veil between heaven and earth. He does not escort them through the hallways of God’s throne room. He does not pray for another booming voice. Each would certainly have answered Philip’s question.

But instead of such drama Jesus points to himself. Indeed he seems somewhat surprised that the question is even asked. After all this time – years spent living out the oneness of the Godhead before them – are they still unseeing?

Jesus is using words. But he has not always. Indeed, since taking them from their various professions he has been doing the ‘works’  of God before them. To Jesus this is a demonstration of the oneness of God and himself. Each work, as John says, was a sign. Jesus’ work was to post signs that pointed to God.

Do they still not know the way?

More is at stake here than the disciple’s knowledge. Jesus moves quickly to the heart of the matter – the ability of these eleven to carry on his legacy: ‘…the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact will do greater works…’.  Will these unbelieving students ever be ready to take up the task of erecting God’s signs across the globe?

Essentially, Jesus is asking that they begin to work directly with the Father – that they may know God’s presence well enough to confidently write, symbolise, and signal their divine message: God is here.

Of course, this will not make Jesus redundant. He will ask his Father to send one – an Advocate – among them. The role of this ‘Spirit of truth’ will be to remind them of all Jesus has taught. The Spirit, sent by the Father, at the request of the Son.

And he will abide with us.

What an Advocate this Spirit is. By the time John wrote his Gospel he had certainly come to see the Father. His famous opening reveals that Philips question was more than answered: ‘No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.’ (John 1:18).

 

 

 

Filed Under: Gospel of John, New Testament Reflections

Barefoot Follower: Inviting Reflection on the Stories of Jesus

The 'Barefoot Follower' site is a collection of passion-filled reflections, sermons, and reviews centred around the teachings of Jesus. Join me as we consider what these ancient, long-treasured documents might tell us about God and ourselves. For more information on the concept, purpose, and aspiration of the site please visit the Introduction page.

Comments

  1. Judith Ann D says

    May 17, 2013 at 8:16 am

    Thankyou Mark.

    I have only just ‘discovered’ this site and will is it it each morning. It means so much more that I ‘know’ as a part of my community. Your pastoral care is rich in word and worship. Keep walking barefoot, and may Gpd bless this rich ministry.

    • Mark Beresford says

      May 17, 2013 at 12:08 pm

      Thanks for having a look Judith Anne. Peace, Mark.

About the Site Author: Mark Beresford

Follower of Jesus, husband, father, barefoot runner, musician, Worship Pastor, speaker, lecturer, chaplain, and admirer of St Benedict. Read More…

Follow Me

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Archives

Recent Posts

  • Kingdom Encounter: Faith
  • Kingdom Encounter: Obedience
  • The Prayers Jesus Prayed: Risen
  • The Prayers Jesus Prayed: Cross
  • The Prayers Jesus Prayed: Messiah

Search this site:

Copyright Stuff

All posts and comments © their original owners. Everything else is © Mark Beresford 2014. Mark's information can be reused or republished solely in accordance with the BY-NC-ND Creative Commons License. Please let Mark know if you would like to reuse any part of this site through the contact page. It is helpful and encouraging to learn how people are using the information.

Copyright © 2021 · Website by Your Web Presence · Log in