John 14:7-14
Knowing the Father
Daily S.O.A.P. Prompts
S – What verse stands out to me today?
O – What is God revealing about Jesus?
A – How should this change my life today?
P – What is my prayer in response?
Scripture
(John 14:7-14, NLT) 7 If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!” 8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” 9 Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. 11 Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do. 12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!
Observation
I notice that Jesus is spending a lot of time explaining the relationship between him and God. The term “Father” is used ten different times in these few verses. God is described as Father, and Jesus is telling his disciples that they have seen the Father because they have seen Jesus.
Jesus makes a clear divine connection by saying that anyone who has seen him has seen the Father. He is in the Father, and the Father is in him. The words he speaks are from the Father.
We see the believe language again. Jesus instructs them to just believe, and if they can’t do that, then at least believe the “work you have seen” Jesus do.
This time the question comes from Philip. Philip isn’t getting the fact that Jesus is saying that if you have seen him, you have seen the Father.
Jesus tells his disciples that they will do greater works if only they would believe. The fact that Jesus is going to the Father means greater works can occur. We simply must ask.
I notice the term "anything" is used to define the scope of possibilities in our asking God.
Application
I can relate to God as my Father. He is the perfect Father who loves me very much. I can trust that and live my life secure in this truth.
God wants to do greater works through me so more and more people believe. I will ask more boldly.
Prayer
Dear Father, you created the world and everything in it. You hold the whole world in your hands. I truly believe this. Your Son, Jesus, told us that if He goes to be with You, we will do greater things. Honestly, Lord, I am not even sure what that fully means, but I believe Your Son, Jesus. Therefore, I will ask for greater things so that more people will see the signs and believe. In Jesus' name, amen!
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