The Proof of Heaven.

I wonder if Philip was drumming his fingers on the table as Jesus was talking. He was the analytical disciple, the one who sized things up, organized everybody’s thoughts as expressed in discussion and then summarized them. Philip evidently felt he needed more information before he could process what he was hearing. He essentially said he could figure all of this out if, “Lord, (You) show us the Father and that will be enough for us”. In other words, “Jesus, please give us proof that your promise of heaven is true and your path to heaven is the right one. This is way too important to mess up. When you’re talking about how we are going to be able to see you again and where we are going to spend eternity, we don’t want to leave any room for a mistake, or even for a doubt. This is major.”

Hellooo! Philip, wake up! Where have you been Jesus? Jesus had just told Thomas, “If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him”. Jesus’ patience with Philip, Thomas, Peter, and His other disciples was truly remarkable. And He is still patient today.

Are you afraid to ask Jesus questions? Afraid that He may blame you for not knowing the answers? Afraid He may think you’re stupid? Afraid that if you ask questions you may reveal to Him that you are stupid? Afraid perhaps of getting an answer you don’t want to hear? He knows you and me inside out. He knows what we’re thinking even if we don’t voice it. His disciples have given all of us the encouragement to go ahead and ask. Jesus welcomes honest, sincere questions respectfully asked. In fact, it’s not until we ask our questions that we begin to get the answers on which we cannot only build our faith but build our relationship with Him.

In a voice that gently rebuked Philip, not for asking the question, but for the obvious shallowness of his relationship with Jesus after three years of discipleship, Jesus inquired, “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has been seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me?”

Once again, the upper room must have been frozen still in stunned silence! What was that He said? Look at Me, Philip. Look at My eyes, My face. My life. Look at everything you know about Me. Look at Me now, Philip. You’re looking at God!”

Eleven pairs of eyes must have been glued to the face of Jesus as though seeing Him for the first time! God? Here at this table? In this room? With us? Now? It was almost unbelievable. Before they could blurt out any more questions or doubts, Jesus gave them a twofold proof of assertion.