Notes for 08/06/2025 - John 14:8-7, (25-27)

By Karel Reus

John 14:8-17, (25-27)

Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied."
9 Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, "Show us the Father'?
10 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 who dwells in me does his works.
11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves.
12 Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.
13 I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.
15 "If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever.
17 This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.
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25 "I have said these things to you while I am still with you.
26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid

Comment

Based on the provided source text from John 14:8-17 and 25-27, Regarding the relationship between Jesus and the Father, John argues that:
•
Jesus and the Father are intimately connected and mutually indwelling. Jesus explicitly states, "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father". He asks Philip, "Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?".
•
Jesus' words are not his own but are spoken by the Father who dwells in him. Similarly, the works that Jesus does are the Father's works. This indicates a profound unity in action and speech between them.+
•
Belief in this relationship is crucial. Jesus asks for belief that he is in the Father and the Father is in him. If belief is difficult based on his words alone, Jesus suggests believing because of the works themselves. These works serve as evidence of their connection.
•
Jesus acts to glorify the Father. He states that he will do whatever is asked in his name "so that the Father may be glorified in the Son".
In summary, the source emphasises a deep and unified relationship where seeing Jesus is equivalent to seeing the Father, and Jesus is in the Father while the Father is in Jesus. Their words and works are shared, demonstrating this inseparable bond.

What are the big existential questions addressed by this passage?

Drawing on the source text from John 14:8-17 and 25-27, we can identify several fundamental, or "big existential," questions that the passage addresses:
  • How can we truly know or see God (the Father)? The passage directly confronts Philip's request, "Show us the Father". Jesus' response provides a profound answer: "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father". This suggests that the ultimate reality of God is revealed and accessible through Jesus himself. The text posits that the Father and Jesus are so intimately connected that seeing one is equivalent to seeing the other
  • What is the true nature and identity of Jesus? The text asserts a deep unity between Jesus and the Father. Jesus states, "I am in the Father and the Father is in me". His words are not spoken on his own authority, but are the Father speaking through him. His works are not solely his, but are the Father's works. This addresses the question of Jesus' divine connection and unique relationship with God.
  • How can humans relate to or interact with the divine? The passage provides avenues for this relationship:
  • Belief: It is crucial to believe that Jesus is in the Father and the Father is in Jesus. Belief can be based on Jesus' words or, if that is difficult, on the evidence of the works he performs.
  • Love and Obedience: Jesus states, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments". This links human action (keeping commandments) to a loving relationship with the divine presence in Jesus.
  • Prayer/Asking: Believers can "ask in [Jesus'] name". Jesus promises to do whatever is asked in his name, indicating a channel for human requests to be acted upon by divine power.
  • What happens after Jesus is physically gone? How can believers remain connected to the divine presence and truth? Jesus speaks of going to the Father. However, he promises that he will ask the Father, who will then send "another Advocate, to be with you forever". This Advocate is identified as the "Spirit of truth" and the "Holy Spirit", whom the Father will send in Jesus' name. This addresses the existential concern of abandonment or loss of divine connection after Jesus' departure, offering the continued, abiding presence of the Holy Spirit.
  • How can humans understand and remember divine truth? The passage states that the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, "will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you". This speaks to the human need for guidance, understanding, and preservation of divine teaching, suggesting a supernatural aid for learning and memory.
  • How can humans find peace and overcome fear in a troubled world? Jesus explicitly offers his peace, stating, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you". He contrasts this peace with the way the world gives peace. He then directly addresses the human condition of anxiety, saying, "Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid". This speaks to the fundamental human struggle with fear and lack of inner peace, offering a divine source of tranquility.
  • What is the potential for human action and impact linked to the divine? Jesus states that the one who believes in him "will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these". This addresses the human potential for significant action and transformation, suggesting that faith in Jesus empowers believers to perform remarkable deeds, even surpassing those Jesus performed during his earthly ministry. This potential is linked to Jesus going to the Father and is done so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
These points from the text address core questions about the nature of God, the identity of Jesus, the possibility and nature of human relationship with the divine, the ongoing presence of truth and guidance, and the human capacity for peace and impactful action.

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