How does John 14:7 connect with John 1:18 about revealing the Father? Setting the Scene • John opens his Gospel by unveiling Jesus as the eternal Word who “became flesh” (John 1:14). • Near the end of His earthly ministry, Jesus comforts His disciples in the upper room (John 13–17). • Both moments share one goal: to show how God the Father is fully revealed in the Son. Key Verses Side by Side • 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.” • John 14:7 — “If you had known Me, you would know My Father as well. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.” How the Two Passages Connect • Same theme, two time-points – John 1:18 sets the theological foundation: only the incarnate Son can disclose the unseen Father. – John 14:7 applies that truth personally: the disciples already possess that disclosure because they have walked with Jesus. • Seeing vs. knowing – 1:18 speaks of “making known” (exegeted, explained, brought into view). – 14:7 upgrades the promise: knowing Jesus means actually “seeing” the Father in Him. – The invisible becomes visible through relationship with Christ. • Exclusive mediator – 1:18: the Son alone is “at the Father’s side” (literally “in the bosom of the Father”). – 14:7: that same unique Son stands before the disciples. There is no other route to true knowledge of God (cf. John 14:6). What We Learn about Jesus and the Father • Perfect unity – John 10:30: “I and the Father are one.” – Hebrews 1:3: “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being.” • Visible image of the invisible – Colossians 1:15: “He is the image of the invisible God.” – Exodus 33:20 declares that no sinful human can see God’s face and live, yet in Christ that barrier is bridged without compromising God’s holiness. • Ongoing revelation – John 12:45: “Whoever sees Me sees the One who sent Me.” – The revelation is continuous: the more we gaze on Jesus—through the Gospels, through obedient fellowship—the more the Father’s heart becomes clear. Implications for Our Walk with God • Confidence: we aren’t groping in the dark. The Father’s character is on display in Christ’s words, actions, compassion, righteousness, and power. • Clarity: distorted images of God (distant, harsh, indifferent) crumble when measured against Jesus’ earthly ministry. • Access: through the Son, the unseen Father invites us into intimate relationship (Ephesians 2:18; Hebrews 4:14-16). • Mission: as Christ revealed the Father, believers now reflect that revelation to the world (2 Corinthians 4:6; John 20:21). Takeaway Thoughts • John 1:18 opens the curtain: Jesus is the exclusive revealer of the Father. • John 14:7 confirms it to the disciples: “You have seen Him.” • Therefore, to know Jesus is to know the Father—fully, truly, and eternally. |
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