Show Us The Father

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Come Now; Let Us Reason Together

Just the other day a young man in his teens was walking by my house. He looked like someone I knew. However, I could not accept how he could be the person I thought he was. You see, the person I was thinking of went to grade school with me and should be my age if he is still alive. Then, it dawned on me; this may be his son. It should not have been a surprise to me. I have had several adults, my father’s age, stop me while I was working in the yard and say they thought I was James (my father’s first name). It is an easy mistake to make. I live in the previous home of my parents, and I am always working in the yard, as my father did. When I recently visited my parents, who now live in South Carolina, I attended the Sunday school class of the church my parents now attend. My father, at the time, was bedridden in the hospital. Later that afternoon, I went to visit my father. He informed me that he had received calls and visits by fellow church members. Many of the members said to him; they did not miss him at Sunday School because, “your son being there was just like you being present.” In many ways, I am remarkably like my father; however, in many ways, we are remarkably different.

The Holy Bible records an moment were one of Jesus hand picked disciples requested of him, “Lord, show us the Father…” (John 14: 8). Jesus answer is one of the most controversial replies in human history. Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen 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 authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.” (John 14:1-10, ESV)

There are at least two significant implications within Jesus’ answer that have rocked the world, even to this day. However, I will explain one of them. Jesus, in his statement, “I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works”, Jesus is declaring his active obedience to the Father’s will. We see the depth of this submission of Jesus to the Father’s will in the Mount of Olives prayer, prior to Jesus betrayal and crucifixion. “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42, ESV).

As Jesus was obedient to the one who sent him, even until death, so should we be obedient to Christ Jesus who has saved and sent us into the world. Just as Jesus, during his earthly ministry, did not speak by his own authority but the Father's, we also should minister, by the authority Christ Jesus and not our own. Therefore, as Jesus, when asked to “show us the Father,” replied, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father”, when we are asked, by others, to “show us Jesus”, we should be able to say, “If you seen me, you have seen Jesus.” This is not to be taking in a literal sense. However, we are to be a reflection of the character and nature of Christ Jesus. This is why we are called Christian (Christ-imitators or Little-Christ).

Although I am flattered that many people say I remind them of my earthly father, it is my intention to remind them of my heavenly Father. I do this by living to the glory of God in obedient to the word and principles of Christ Jesus.

Show Us The Father