John 14: “What’s He Like?”
Today’s Bible reading is John 14 and in it, Jesus makes an absolutely incredible claim.
Think about how often we ask, “What’s it like?”
Someone we know went to a new restaurant. “What’s it like?” A friend has started exercising at a new gym. “What’s it like?” A family member just returned from a European vacation. “What’s it like?”
We also ask a similar question about people: “What’s he like?” “What’s she like?”
A friend just told you she went on a first date with a new co-worker. “What’s he like?” A neighbor just highly recommended their doctor. “What’s she like?” A child comes home raving about their new favorite teacher. “What’s he like?”
Thanks to books like the Gospel of John in the Bible, we can ask the same question about God himself. “What’s he like?” In John 14, notice these words of Jesus:
“If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 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. 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 authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.” (John 14:7-11)
What’s God like? Get to know Jesus in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and you’ll find out. Whoever sees Jesus has seen the Father. Whoever listens to Jesus is hearing the Father. Whoever marvels at the miracles is marveling at the Father. What’s God like? If you want to know, drink deeply from the well of the Gospels.
“From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Incredible.