John 14:8-11 Philip said to him, Lord, show us the Father, and it suffises us.… Our Lord meant that in His person, as well as by His doctrine, miracles, benevolence, life, death, resurrection, ascension, God is manifested, as far as could be, even to our senses, as well as to our understanding, and that this is the clearest manifestation God has been pleased to make of Himself to man on earth. Hence, to such as wish to know God, we must say, Behold, and consider, not only His works of creation; look not only at the dispensations of Providence, which manifest such attributes as the works of creation were not calculated to discover; nor read and consider only His Word, which shows Him still more; but behold the person of His Son, who is "the image of the invisible God, the first born of every creature" (Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3; John 1:18). Would we discover the Father's wisdom? let us hearken to Him who was the wisdom and word of God incarnate. Would we know the Father's power? let us observe it in the miracles of Christ. Would we know how holy God is, and the nature of His holiness? let us observe the spirit which Jesus breathed and the conduct He maintained. Would we know whether God be a kind and compassionate Being, and what is the nature of His benevolence and love? we must look how these qualities were displayed in the character of Jesus Christ. Would we see His meekness, patience, forbearance, and long suffering? let us observe how these dispositions shone forth in Christ. Would we have a display of His justice? let us see sin condemned and punished in Him who "gave Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God." Do we wish to see the love of God exemplified? observe Christ dying for us, "dying for the ungodly;" "when we were enemies, reconciling us to God by His death." Would we know God as our Creator? observe Christ secretly and insensibly multiplying the loaves and fishes; observe Him giving sight to the blind, and life to the dead. Would we know God as our Preserver? let us contemplate Jesus upholding Peter while walking on the water. As our Governor? let us observe Him controlling the powers of nature, "rebuking the winds and the sea, and producing a great calm." As our Redeemer? see Him "giving His life a ransom for us." As our Saviour? consider Him coming "to seek and to save that which was lost." Would we know God as a Friend? mark the familiarity and tenderness with which Jesus conversed with His disciples. As a Father? observe Jesus "begetting us again by His Gospel," and see His parental care for His disciples. In a word, if we wish to know the mind, dispositions, and intentions of God towards man, we must see them delineated and exhibited in the doctrine, example, and works of Christ. In order to this, however, it is necessary we should be enlightened by the Divine Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:11); that we be "taught" and "learn of the Father" (John 6:45; Matthew 11:27; Matthew 16:17). (J. Benson.) Parallel Verses KJV: Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.WEB: Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us." |
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