Connect John 6:46 with John 14:9 about seeing the Father through Jesus. Setting the verses side by side John 6:46: “Not that anyone has seen the Father except the One who is from God; only He has seen the Father.” John 14:9: “Jesus replied, ‘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”?’” What Jesus affirms in John 6:46 • He alone has personally beheld the Father’s glory • No created being, however exalted, shares that experience • His claim underlines His pre-existence and divine origin (cf. John 1:1–2) What Jesus affirms in John 14:9 • Seeing Jesus with the eyes of faith equals seeing the Father • The Father’s nature and character are perfectly embodied in the Son • Jesus invites His followers to know God by knowing Him (cf. John 12:45) Putting the two statements together • John 6:46: Christ is the exclusive Witness of the Father • John 14:9: Christ is the exclusive Revelation of the Father • Therefore, the One who alone has seen the Father now makes the Father knowable to us through Himself Supporting passages that echo the theme • John 1:18 — “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God… has revealed Him.” • Colossians 1:15 — “He is the image of the invisible God.” • Hebrews 1:3 — “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature.” • 2 Corinthians 4:6 — God shines “in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” Implications for faith and life • Absolute reliability: because Scripture records these words, we can trust that encountering Jesus in the Gospel record is truly encountering God • Clear picture of God’s heart: – His compassion (Mark 1:41) – His truthfulness (John 18:37) – His power over sin and death (John 11:25–26) • Sole path to the Father: “No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6) stands firm in light of these verses • Daily fellowship: as believers focus on Christ’s words and works, the Father’s character becomes increasingly vivid and personal Encouragement to abide in this truth • Read the Gospels regularly to behold the Father’s glory in Jesus • Meditate on Christ’s actions, listening for the Father’s voice and seeing the Father’s heart • Walk in obedience, confident that the same grace and power Jesus displayed are available to you through His indwelling Spirit (John 14:16–17) Conclusion Only Jesus has seen the Father, and in seeing Jesus we truly see the Father. The perfect Witness becomes the perfect Revelation, opening a clear, secure pathway into genuine fellowship with God. |
    |