The Word and The Works

John 14:7-14

7 “If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. 12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

Notes

The Lord Jesus assured His disciples that they would be together again. He was preparing His disciples for His leaving; His leaving was about His death and ultimate sacrifice. But He commanded them not to be troubled because He would be preparing a place for each of them in His Father’s house. He also reminded them to believe in the Father and in Him. The Lord Jesus also revealed that there is no other way to the Father except through Him. 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.

1. Revelation of the Father

   Philip needed more clarity about the unity of the Father and the Son. The Lord Jesus explained that knowing Him is knowing the Father, and seeing Him is seeing the Father. Even though Jesus had been teaching about their mysterious unity, Philip could not grasp it.

   
   7 “If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
   
   8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? (John 14:7-9).

   Application: We must know Christ through His word. The more we know the Lord Jesus, the more we know the Father because the Son is the perfect reflection of the Father. Therefore, through the help of the Spirit, we will

   diligently study His word.

   
   

2. His Word and Works

   The Lord explained the mutual indwelling of the Father and Son and reminded them that the word and works come from the Father. He instructed them to believe that He is in the Father and the Father is in Him, or they could believe the works He did because the works come from the Father.
   
   10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves (John 14:10-11).

   Application: We believe that Jesus's words and works testify to His divine authority and His unity with the Father. These include His teaching, miracles, and sacrifice. We dare not separate the Father and the Son.
   

3. Greater Works and Prayer

   The Lord Jesus taught His disciples that those who believe in Him will do greater works than He did. If they ask in His name, He will do it so that the Father will be glorified in the Son. Such is a solid assurance to His disciples.

   
   12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it (John 14:12- 14).

   Application: We should pray in His name, proclaim the gospel, make disciples of the Lord, and pray for the lost. Then, we must trust the Lord will bless our work and make it greater in scope, reach, and impact.

Reflection & Discussion

1. What was Philip’s request?

2. What was Jesus' answer to Philip?

3. What was Jesus referring to about greater works? And to whom?