SCRIPTURE READING
John 14:9; Don’t you know Me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time?
Jesus’ disciples were full of questions. In the surrounding passage, Peter, Thomas and Philip all
question Jesus about the same thing: they want to know where He is going. Jesus said that He
would not be with them much longer and Peter asks where He is going. When Jesus says that
Peter cannot follow Him now anyways, Peter asks why. Jesus clarifies for them again, saying that
He is going to prepare a place for them with the Father and that they know the way to get there.
Thomas says that they don’t know, “We don’t know where you’re going, Lord, so how can we
know the way?” Jesus affirms what He’s already said: He is going to the Father; HE is the way for
all men to get to the Father; and all who know Him automatically know the Father, because He
and the Father are one. But Philip says, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”
Just Jesus wasn’t enough for Philip.
Jesus chose relevant disciples; they show us that human nature and personalities have not
changed over the past 2000 years. Many of us have had Christ “among us” for a long time and still
struggle to know and understand Him. His own disciples who spent three years saturated in His
presence struggled with this, too; we don’t need to be discouraged, but aware. A willing disciple
asks questions. He is open and honest about his doubts and misunderstandings, because he
wants to know what is true and right. Sometimes it takes a long time for us to understand what
God is trying to teach us. Confusion or failings cloud our minds and we just don’t experience His
presence in the way that we’d like. Be open, be honest and keep pressing on.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Is there an area in your life where you sense God wants to show or teach you something,
and you’re just not getting it? Ask Him to speak clearly to you, and to give you a
breakthrough.
2. In which of the following areas are you experiencing discouragement or dryness? Bible
reading, prayer, fasting, intercession, worship, meditating on Scripture, memorizing, etc. How
can you press on? Ask God to increase your desire and your faith and to give you a strategy
to continue.
