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So Long With Us, Yet We Don't Know Him?

The Lord’s apostles had been in close association with Him for a period of approximately three years, always listening and learning. They had been eye-witnesses of his miracles and were students of His in-depth and authoritative teachings (2 Peter 1:15-18-NKJV; 1 John 1:1-2-NKJV; Matthew 7:28-29-NKJV).

Just before His death on the cross, Jesus told them that He was going away to prepare a place for them, and that He would come again and receive them to Himself. He said they knew the way where He was going (John 14:1-4-NKJV).

Thomas replied that he did not know where the Lord was going, so how were they to know the way? Jesus replied that He was the way, the truth and the life. He told them that if they were knowledgeable of Him, they should be knowledgeable of His Father (John 14:5-7-NKJV; cf. John 15:13-15-NKJV).

It was then that Philip said:

“Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us” (John 14:8-NKJV).

To which the Lord replied:

“Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? (John 14:9-NKJV).

Brethren, are we any different from Philip? Could it not be said be said of us that we’ve had the inspired New Testament, the Lord’s church, and the continuing presence of Jesus with us for almost 2,000 years (Matthew 28:20-NKJV; cf. Hebrews 13:5-NKJV), and yet some of us still don’t know Him?

Are not some of us still infants in our faith (Hebrews 5:8-13-NKJV), slow to act and believe in Jesus’ promises to us (2 Peter 1:2-4-NKJV; cf. 2 Corinthians 6:16-18-NKJV), often failing to imitate the life of Jesus, our perfect role model? 1 John 2:3-6-NKJV; cf. Hebrews 5:8-9-NKJV; Hebrews 12:1-2-NASB).

While we may take a dim view of Thomas’ and Philip’s lack of faith from the above Scriptures, perhaps we should closely examine our own lack of faith (2 Corinthians 13:5-NKJV).

Has Jesus really been so long with us, and yet we don’t know Him?

Let’s think about it!