1. IV. THE DISCIPLES’ PREPARATION BY THE SON OF GOD (13:1 – 16:33) A. THE DISCOURSE IN THE UPPER ROOM (Jn 13:1 – 14:31) 5. The Promise of Residence (14:1-3) 6. The Way to the Father (14:4-6) 7. The Oneness with the Father (14:7-11)  Read Jn 14:9.

2.  Philip had failed to listen carefully to the words spoken to Thomas in v. 5, to the effect that the Father had become manifest in the Son. ~ Since His first public appearance more than three years had elapsed.  The kind of recognition which Jesus has in mind is spiritual in character. ~ It amounts to seeing by faith the Father in the Son (see Jn 14:9b).

3.  Jesus’ question, I believe, is also tinged with sadness. ~ If those closest to Him still display similar ignorance of who He is, despite loyalty to Him, they attest their profound spiritual blindness. ~ Even being with Jesus such a long does not guarantee the deepest insight. ~ This insight is granted by the Holy Spirit to those who truly seek to know the Lord and understand His words.

4.  THE SEARCH FOR GOD, FOR TRUTH AND REALITY, ENDS IN CHRIST. (See also Col 1:15; Heb 1:1-4.)  Notice also the three perfect tenses in this verse which show that once this spiritual knowledge or vision has been obtained, it has abiding results. ~ The entire passage indicates that redemptive revelation apart from Christ is impossible.

5. ~ As true as it is that he who has seen the Son has seen the Father, so true it is that he who has not seen the Son has not seen the Father. ~ What the disciples lacked, however, was not genuine faith as such but genuine faith in full measure.  Read Jn 14:10.

6. ~ This passage shows that all knowledge with respect to the facts of redemption is based on genuine, Christian faith.  The expression “I am in the Father and the Father in me” makes sense only if Father and Son are one in essence, that is, in all their divine attributes.

7. ~ The Father and the Son “do not exist apart as human individualities do, but in and through each other as moments in one divine, self- conscious life” (J. Edwin Orr)  This unity ensures that Jesus truly and completely revealed God to us. ~ JESUS AND GOD WERE ONE IN ESSENCE AND PURPOSE.

8.  Because of this oneness, Jesus said: Jn 14:10b. ~ Whenever Jesus speaks, the Father works by means of this speaking. ~ Every word of Jesus is a work of the Father! ~The Son speaks the mind of the Father because this is also His own mind.

9.  In effect the Lord also seems to be saying that we should not seek God anywhere else than in Him, for He maintains that His teaching, being heavenly and truly divine, is a proof and a bright mirror of the presence of God.  However, the works of the Father are not limited to the words of the Son. ~ They also include His miracles or signs. ~ These serve to confirm faith, to strengthen it.

10.  Therefore, Jn 14:11.  The disciples were wavering in their faith (Jn 14:1), a faith which had never been strong (14:7). ~ But whatever of faith is present in their hearts must be kept there and strengthened, especially now, with the Lord about to leave. ~ They are urged to take Jesus at His word! ~ This is ever the highest type of faith.

11.  If, however, they still find it difficult to penetrate the meaning of His words, at the very least they should “believe because of the works themselves.” ~ These works have evidential value. (Cf. Jn 2:11) ~ These miracles signify that the saving kingdom of God is at work in the ministry of Jesus, and this in ways tied to His very person. ~ The miracles are non-verbal Christological signposts.