Thomas, Philip and Peters story - My story - Humanity’s story
John 14:5-6
5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
When you look a Thomas question it seems to be asked in the physical realm and not the spiritual. It’s almost like Thomas is saying; give us the map or the gps coordinates so we can find you when you’re gone. Jesus response is in the spiritual realm. It’s lovely and says so much in so few words.
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
In this reply we see the Father-Son relationship. We see that no other divine beings are involved. We see that our recognition of Christs sonship to the Father is the only doorway. It’s a complete answer to the question that Thomas asked.
Let’s look now at the dialog that Philip had with Jesus.
Joh 14:8-10
8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
Philip asked also on the physical realm. He wanted to see the physical person of the Father. It’s beautiful, when you see the innocence of the question and Philips love for Jesus. He wanted to meet His Father. Isn’t that a reasonable human response?
9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
This answer is also so rich with meaning. It shows us how the Father and Son abide in each other in the realm of the spirit. It’s showing Philip how he can abide spiritually in the Father through the Son. The book of John, chapter seventeen explains this in a perfect way.
Jesus also asked questions. Interestingly, they are to do with His identity also.
Mat 22:41-46
41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,
42 Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David.
Here is the great battle over the meaning of son. Nothing changes, does it!
43 He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,
44 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
45 If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?
46 And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.
I pray that we can have the wisdom of God also, which is, Christ in you, when answering those opposed to the literal Sonship of Jesus.
My favourite story, and the one I identify most with, is that of Peter. Once again, Jesus asks the question of His identity but this time it is to His disciples.
Mat 16:13-23
13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
You can see a similar thing going on here to that of the Pharisees in Matthew 22:42
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
Jesus showed the origin of Peters awakening. His Father.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Take special note of verse 18 because it helps in understanding verse 23
As we know, the Rock that the church is built upon was Peter’s recognition of the Sonship of Christ and not upon the sinful person of Peter.
19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
Peter is expressing his love for Jesus in the best way he knows. He did not want to be separated from Him or entertain the thought of his master dying. Jesus also loved Peter and in Christ’s humanity Satan was trying to tempt Him through Peters words. Jesus needed strength to focus on being the divine sacrifice for the whole world so that Peter and all of us could have salvation. Jesus reply in verse 23 is not really addressed to Peter but once more in the spiritual realm, is directed to Satan.
23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
I hope you can see the similarity in the way that these two verses are interpreted.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
It is not about the humanness of Peter but it is everything to do with the Sonship of Jesus and His sacrifice.
Joh 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
Blessings in the name of the Father and Son
