When "Enough" Isn't Enough: The Philip Problem
John 14:8: Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.”
The disciples' confusion is only surpassed by their lack of devotion. But let's be honest, we can relate to both. Following Thomas's confusion, we encounter Philip's.
It's near the end of Jesus's ministry. Philip has been a firsthand witness to Jesus's miracles, healings, and forgiveness. He was there from the beginning, back in John chapter 1, before the wedding at Cana. He's had a front-row seat to the entirety of Jesus's ministry. And yet, here he is, looking Jesus in the face and asking for more? "Yeah, yeah," he seems to say, "we saw you turn water into wine, tell a woman her life story, heal the lame and the blind, feed thousands, walk on water, raise Lazarus, forgive sins, and claim oneness with the Father...but...one quick question...can you show us the Father?"
Before we judge Philip too harshly, let's acknowledge our own similar tendencies. Whether it's someone in church or ourselves in private prayer, we've all been guilty of asking, "God, show us your glory," or "God, we want a deeper knowledge of who you are," or simply, "God, show us yourself!" We ask, thinking there's something more than the forgiveness and righteousness offered through Christ. We appreciate what Jesus has done, but we crave access to some secret, more glorious revelation. It seems admirable, but it can be surprisingly misguided.
Why? Because it implies that seeing Jesus isn't enough. It suggests, "Yeah, we've seen Jesus, but we want to really see God." And Jesus's response is essentially, "What more could you possibly need?"
Jesus is telling us there is no more. The glory of God has a name, and that name is Jesus.
Consider Paul's words about Jesus: "He is the image of the invisible God...For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell" (Colossians 1:15, 19).
And the writer of Hebrews says, "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son...He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature..." (Hebrews 1:1-3, excerpts).
In other words, the question "What is God like?" or "What is the glory of God?" isn't answered by differing opinions, extensive knowledge of ancient Judaism, or even complex biblical studies. The answer is simple: What is God like? Exactly like Jesus. What does God do? Exactly what Jesus did. What does the unfathomable glory of God look like? A Jewish carpenter dying on a cross for the sins of the world. What is God's deepest desire? To do exactly what Jesus came to do—redeem sinners.
Do you see how the seemingly innocent question, "Show us the Father," can actually be a rejection of Christ?
There is no more than Christ. He is everything. God's compassion for sinners, seen in the person of Christ and His redemption, is who God is. That is the glory of God. Jesus is the final, definitive revelation of God's glory. He is the pinnacle. And He is the very thing you and I need—the only thing we need.
May our restless hearts find rest in the Savior, Christ Jesus, who is ours even when we are constantly seeking "more." Hallelujah! Amen.
