The Doubter’s Questions Part 2

The Doubter’s Questions Part 2

In John 14, Jesus asks Philip, “Do you not believe?” If we knew Greek, we might understand “Do you not believe?” as meaning “Are you not persuaded?” It would sound like this: “Are you not persuaded that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?” This subtle change gives a different perspective on the weight of His response to Philip. The context of His response must be due to the fact that Philip had been one of the twelve disciples for over three years by then. He lived with Jesus. Every day. The only people any of us see every day are our spouses, our roommates and our co-workers.   

My point is that Philip lived with Jesus every day for over three years. He was there when Peter said Jesus was the Christ. He saw the miracles and heard the teachings we read about in the New Testament. But it’s more than that. Philip sat with Christ in the quiet of many meals, around the table where He would have shared so much more than He spoke to the crowds. Philip should have known Christ intimately. And yet he was unable to understand that Jesus was God. He was unable to understand the relationship between Jesus and the Father, so he could not comprehend the relationship Jesus was describing: “I am in the Father and the Father is in me.” Philip didn’t understand how the works of Christ were completed:   

(v.11) “The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own initiative, but the Father abiding in me does His works.” (Jesus continues His rebuke by saying)

“Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves.” John   

14:11    

We have works to do and we’re going to need faith to do them!