God Is, Jesus Is

We hear much about the character of God:

1.God is omnipotent (all-powerful).

2.God is omniscient (all-knowing).

3.God is omnipresent (everywhere, all at once).

These are characteristics we've all, for the most part, heard of and, to some degree, believe, but there are other aspects of God that must be revealed to us. This revelation only comes through intimate fellowship with the one revealed.

In the Bible, we read of the time when Jesus' disciples had a request quite like our own hidden desire. "Show us the Father. Then we will be satisfied," Philip said (John 14:8,author's paraphrase). The disciples knew that Jesus knew the Father. Jesus had previously told them that no one knows the Father except those to whom he revealed Him.(See Matthew 11:27 and Luke 10:22.) Philip was emboldened by Jesus' implication. "You see, and you hear. Many only wish they could see and hear the things you see and hear, but you get the special priviledge of knowing the Father," Jesus had said (Luke 10:23-24, author's paraphrase).

Although the Father was there revealing Himself to the disciples, they were totally unaware of it. From day to day, as they fellowshipped with Jesus, the Father was showing Himself to them. The Bible tells us that Jesus is the 'express image of God' (Hebrews 1:3).

I have often read that passage of scripture in John 14 and wondered why Jesus didn't just grant Philip's request. Why didn't Jesus, seeing that he was the Son of God, just take Philip on a little trip to see God? Why didn't he give Philip a vision, you know, just a little glimpse into the unknown? Isn't that what most everyone wants to see, a picture of who God really is, what He really looks like?

Now, I understand the goodness of God. I finally see the truth. Jesus did indeed grant the disciples request. For the remainder of the chapter, He took Philip and the disciples on a trip to see God. He opened their eyes just as he must do for each of us. His words brought light so that they could understand this truth. The truth - Everything that God is Jesus is! If we want to see God for who He really is, all we need to do is simply look into the face of Jesus.



But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

In whom the god of this world have blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:3-6