What does "seen Me has seen the Father" reveal about Jesus' identity? Setting the Scene - John 14 finds Jesus comforting His disciples on the night before the cross. - Philip asks, “Lord, show us the Father,” yearning for a clearer picture of God. - Jesus answers with the stunning line, “Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9) The Clarity of Jesus’ Claim - Not a metaphor, parable, or poetic flourish—Jesus states a literal reality. - He is saying: “Look at Me, and you are looking at God.” - This claim eliminates any gap between the character of the Father and the visible life of the Son. Jesus as the Full Revelation of God - John 1:14: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us…” - John 1:18: “No one has ever seen God; but the one and only Son… has made Him known.” - Hebrews 1:3: “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature.” - Colossians 1:15: “He is the image of the invisible God…” - Together these verses reinforce that Jesus embodies God’s own nature in visible form. Equality in Essence - John 10:30: “I and the Father are one.” - Equality does not erase distinction; Father and Son are distinct Persons yet share one divine essence. - Jesus’ miracles, teachings, holiness, and authority all flow from this shared essence. Distinct Persons, Perfect Unity - The Father sends; the Son is sent (John 5:37). - The Father speaks; the Son obeys (John 12:49). - The Son prays to the Father (John 17). - Unity of essence plus diversity of personhood is woven through the Gospels. Implications for Our Faith - Want to know God’s heart? Study Jesus’ compassion, purity, and power. - Doubt God’s love? Remember Jesus’ cross—ultimate evidence of the Father’s love. - Unsure of God’s faithfulness? Watch Jesus raise the dead, calm storms, keep promises. - Worship of Jesus is worship of the Father; honor to the Son glorifies the Father (John 5:23). - Assurance of salvation rests secure: the One who reveals the Father is also the One who prepares our place with Him (John 14:2-3). Takeaway Seeing Jesus—His words, works, and sacrificial love—is seeing the very heart, face, and nature of Almighty God. |
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