The Good You See

John 14: 7 – 10

“If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you 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 for so long a time, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? The one who 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, as He remains in Me, does His works.”

Jesus came to earth, in part, to show us the Father. He told Philip that having seen him, he had seen the Father. So, I think that begs the question, how are people supposed to see Jesus today?

Jesus was the perfect representation of the Father. He didn’t claim to do anything on his own but rather that it was the Father who did the works. By his works, Philip, and indeed everyone, was supposed to understand that he was seeing the Father. This made me think that, again, Jesus modeled something for us. In other words, perhaps Jesus is seen and known today the way God was shown then, through others. Wouldn’t it be great to say, with confidence, if you’ve seen me, you’ve seen Jesus? Wow! Imagine, people can know Jesus because they know you. That is an ambassador of the highest rank.

Jesus shows no reservation in proclaiming his authentic representation of the Father. That is remarkable. I would hate for people to see my flaws and think they are representative of Jesus. We might say, though, that any good you see in me, is Jesus. Or, to the degree you see any good in me, you have seen Jesus. That’s fair.

Maybe after meditating on this passage, I can be more kind, forgiving and considerate. And maybe like Jesus, I won’t take credit for any good you see, because it’s not me. “The good you see, is Jesus in me.” I like that. Be blessed today.