Jesus does show us the Father. If we realize this and believe it can indeed be enough for us.
Philip said to Jesus,
"Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us."
Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you for so long a time
and you still do not know me, Philip?
Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.
The Father dwelling in Jesus works mighty deeds on the earth in order to help people believe in him. Jesus and the Father want to dwell in us to continue these works through us.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever believes in me will do the works that I do,
and will do greater ones than these,
because I am going to the Father.
Greater deeds than Jesus? It is possible only because it is Jesus himself, united with the Father and the Holy Spirit that accomplishes these works in us. What can these works be but the unleashing of the grace of the gospel in the world?
All who were destined for eternal life came to believe,
and the word of the Lord continued to spread
through the whole region.
We need the faith in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit that enables Paul and Barnabas to speak out boldly to proclaim the good news. Our great work is to be "a light to the Gentiles" and "an instrument of salvation to the ends of the earth."
We need to be able to recognize God's works even when others ignore or reject them. We need to celebrate what he is doing even when those around us violently contradict it. We can't let the dust of those condemnations even cling to our feet lest our eyes gradually grow closed to the deeds of the LORD and our hearts grow dull to his works.
If we believe that the Father wants to be at work in the world we too will do all we can to open ourselves to his will. We will recognize and celebrate it. We, like the disciples, will be filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.
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