Master, then what happened that you will reveal yourself to us
and not to the world?
Judas, not the Iscariot, was asking an apparently fair question. Why were the Father and the Son apparently holding back, and not simply revealing themselves to everyone? It seemed from what Jesus said almost as if people needed to first prove themselves by expressing their love for God by keeping the commandments, after which, if they succeeded sufficiently, God would reciprocate.
Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.
Yet, upon reflection, it was clear that it did not begin with the disciples or any other potential recipients of God's favor. Rather, it (at least this stage of it) began with the Word taking on flesh, living among us, and extending to humanity the invitation to faith. Those who really believed what Jesus said would embrace his commandments and build their lives on them like houses built on solid rock. God was not holding back the fullness of his self-revelation because he was stingy or indifferent. Rather, that revelation was something that could only be experienced in its fullness by those who cooperated with the grace of God to open their hearts to it. And this was done precisely through the obedience of faith. If God instead merely blasted humanity with the fullness of his glory all at once, if he revealed himself to all equally without preparing them first, they would simply not be able withstand it. In the Old Testament it was known that no one could see the face of God and live. Even Moses, the greatest of the prophets, was only permitted, by a special privilege, to see his back. Marvelously, we have a higher destiny than that. God does intend for us to see his face. But he must first prepare us to do so. He works with us by degrees, revealing a little more of himself each time. And the more we respond with eyes of faith the more we ourselves are transformed and become more able to see him.
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another (see Second Corinthians 3:18)
we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is (see First John 3:2).
We must embrace reality as God understands it, rather than as our darkened minds tend to interpret it. The words given to us by Jesus are not arbitrary, but represent the ultimate nature of things. He gives us his words in order that our lives might be conformed to reality, not illusion. Ever since Adam and Eve chose to believe the lie of the snake in the garden we have needed this healing transformation. And now, through the words of Jesus, it is possible.
The Advocate, the Holy Spirit
whom the Father will send in my name --
he will teach you everything
and remind you of all that I told you.
God did not want to merely reveal himself in an intellectual or abstract way. Rather, he wanted to come and dwell in our hearts. But he only wished to do this for those who would welcome him. He did not want to be an invasive species or an uninvited guest. He wished to make his dwelling in us. We can think of the commandments as the blueprints for the design of operations of the spiritual temples that our hearts are meant to become. True understanding is a gift of the Holy Spirit who reminds us of everything Jesus revealed. When the Spirit reminds us of the teachings of Jesus it does not end at intellectual comprehension. Rather we also remember the context of relationship with the Triune God into which those teachings fit. And because they exist in that context of mutual love we also remember that which flows from that fact, their power.
yet, in bestowing his goodness,
he did not leave himself without witness,
for he gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons,
and filled you with nourishment and gladness for your hearts.
God has not in fact neglected anyone, even the world who has not yet responded to his revelation. He has everywhere scattered the seeds of witness to his reality, proving that he does desire the whole world to turn toward him from their idols. But he now wants to use us as he first used Jesus, and then his Apostles, to extend his invitation and to share his message. We should not be afraid to do so, since we are only being asked to nourish the seeds he himself, in mercy and compassion, has planted.
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