PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
John 14:9-11
Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not
known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can
you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father,
and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My
own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me
that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake
of the works themselves.
Apparently, Jesus was saying to His close disciples. "You have been with me
for three years. You know my teaching, my character, and my integrity. You
should have no trouble believing me when I say I am the Son of God. At the very
least, you should believe me on the basis of the miracles you have seen me
perform."
Whenever we hear a statement which our own knowledge and experience
cannot confirm, it makes a huge difference who made the statement. Some
things are much harder to believe than others, unless they are backed by a
qualified, reliable, and believable authority. It is much easier to accept and
believe otherwise questionable statements when backed by an authority that is
(1) qualified to know, and has (2) proved itself to be 100% trustworthy.
Obviously, the more opportunities we have to observe and "test" the integrity
of an authority, the greater confidence we can have in its reliability. I believe this
says to me that I should develop such a close walk with God through His Word
that I never have any trouble having faith in Him. Whenever I wish for increased
faith (Luke 17:5), the solution may be more time spent in His presence by
reading, believing, and obeying His Word. Perhaps if I do this, an adventitious
result might be that people begin to see in me enough of His character and
integrity to make my own words more believable.
Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not
known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can
you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father,
and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My
own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me
that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake
of the works themselves.
© Fred Donehoo, MA, M Min, D Min, D Phil
All Scripture quotations unless otherwise indicated are NKJV