How can John 14:9 strengthen our faith in God's presence today? Setting the Scene in John 14:9 “Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know Me? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”?’ ” Seeing God Made Simple • Jesus presents Himself as the exact, visible revelation of the invisible Father. • Because this statement is literal and trustworthy, we gain a concrete anchor: to know Jesus is to know God fully. • The gap between heaven and earth closes; God is not merely far-off but present in Christ. A Promise of Unbroken Presence • By revealing the Father, Jesus assures believers that God is not hiding; He is openly accessible. • Hebrews 1:3 echoes this truth: “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature”. • Therefore, when we read the Gospels, we encounter God’s character, compassion, power, and priorities firsthand. How This Strengthens Faith Today – Certainty: If Jesus equals the Father in essence, then God’s presence is as near as the words and work of Christ in Scripture. – Relatability: Observing Jesus’ tenderness with children (Mark 10:14) or His authority over storms (Mark 4:39) shows God’s heart in real-life scenes we can picture and trust. – Continuity: Jesus promised, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). The same Jesus who embodied the Father on earth now indwells believers by His Spirit (John 14:16-17), ensuring God’s ongoing presence. Practical Ways to Lean on This Truth • Read the Gospels devotionally, noting every glimpse of Jesus’ character; remind yourself, “This is what the Father is like.” • When doubt arises, recall specific encounters—Jesus touching the leper (Luke 5:13) or forgiving the paralytic (Mark 2:5)—and state aloud, “Because I see Jesus, I know the Father is with me.” • In prayer, address God with confidence rooted in Christ’s revealed nature: merciful, powerful, attentive. Supporting Scriptures for Deeper Assurance – Colossians 1:15: “The Son is the image of the invisible God.” – 2 Corinthians 4:6: “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.” – John 1:18: “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.” Takeaway Every time we look at Jesus in Scripture, we literally see the Father’s heart, guaranteeing God’s nearness and reinforcing unshakeable faith in His present, personal involvement with us today. |
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