Friday Focus: Show and Tell

PENTECOST -  John 14:8-17, 25- 27

And so the joy of Easter climaxes in the glory of the Ascension and the triumph of Pentecost. The risen Christ has returned to the Father. But we are not abandoned. We are empowered. We are commissioned. We are inspired. And the church of Christ is born… all by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Once again, John proves that his is the most theological of the gospels. Rather than mirror the scope of the more narrative evangelists, John reinforces two recurring themes: the divinity of Christ and consequently the mystery of the Trinity. This week’s passage picks up on a conversation that first Thomas and then Philip is having with Jesus. The apostles are nervous. Jesus has been talking about going to the Father and they want to know where they fit in. After all, when Philip was called, he dropped everything and immediately followed Jesus. No questions asked; but after long service he thinks he deserves some solid proof that he made the right decision. And so he challenges Jesus: Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.

Jesus answers by asking Philip if he hasn’t been paying attention to all that he’s seen and heard. And as in all the gospels, Christ also speaks directly to us. Two millennia later, Jesus asks us: Haven’t you been paying attention? And before we answer, think of the implications. They go well beyond rote knowledge of Sunday school lessons or even a mastery of theology. Do we actively live in the knowledge of God, the loving Father, who created the perfection of the universe and whose creation continues to unfold, evolve and expand around us? Do we actively live by the example of God, the loving Son, who lived among us for our instruction and went to the cross for our redemption? Do we actively live in the sustaining sanctity of God, the loving Spirit, whose constant presence informs and inspires our faith, making life’s every incident an opportunity to give glory to God?

This is heavy stuff. But the Jesus of John’s gospel is here to do the doctrinal heavy lifting of confronting us with the mystery of the Trinity, as he invites us into communion with every aspect of God. Christ’s answers to Philip are both simple and profound. Over and over in miracles that show command over nature, over afflictions, over life and death, Jesus has shown that the power of the Creator resides in him. Now he tells Philip that this is not a blessing on loan from God, but that he is one with the Father.

And then comes the punch line, Jesus tells Philip and us that: I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. There it is in one sentence. Jesus tells us of the Trinity, its makeup, its role and the implications for our lives. On Pentecost we celebrate Christ’s introduction of the Advocate and the descent of the Holy Spirit. As Jesus was physically present to Philip, we pray for the Holy Spirit to inhabit  our lives, to be present in all that we do… to help us show and tell the love of God… the Creator… the Redeemer… the Sanctifier. Alleluia!      

And so the joy of Easter climaxes in the glory of the Ascension and the triumph of Pentecost. The risen Christ has returned to the Father. But we are not abandoned. We are empowered. We are commissioned. We are inspired. And the church of Christ is born… all by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Once again, John proves that his is the most theological of the gospels. Rather than mirror the scope of the more narrative evangelists, John reinforces two recurring themes: the divinity of Christ and consequently the mystery of the Trinity. This week’s passage picks up on a conversation that first Thomas and then Philip is having with Jesus. The apostles are nervous. Jesus has been talking about going to the Father and they want to know where they fit in. After all, when Philip was called, he dropped everything and immediately followed Jesus. No questions asked; but after long service he thinks he deserves some solid proof that he made the right decision. And so he challenges Jesus: Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.

Jesus answers by asking Philip if he hasn’t been paying attention to all that he’s seen and heard. And as in all the gospels, Christ also speaks directly to us. Two millennia later, Jesus asks us: Haven’t you been paying attention? And before we answer, think of the implications. They go well beyond rote knowledge of Sunday school lessons or even a mastery of theology. Do we actively live in the knowledge of God, the loving Father, who created the perfection of the universe and whose creation continues to unfold, evolve and expand around us? Do we actively live by the example of God, the loving Son, who lived among us for our instruction and went to the cross for our redemption? Do we actively live in the sustaining sanctity of God, the loving Spirit, whose constant presence informs and inspires our faith, making life’s every incident an opportunity to give glory to God?

This is heavy stuff. But the Jesus of John’s gospel is here to do the doctrinal heavy lifting of confronting us with the mystery of the Trinity, as he invites us into communion with every aspect of God. Christ’s answers to Philip are both simple and profound. Over and over in miracles that show command over nature, over afflictions, over life and death, Jesus has shown that the power of the Creator resides in him. Now he tells Philip that this is not a blessing on loan from God, but that he is one with the Father.

And then comes the punch line, Jesus tells Philip and us that: I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. There it is in one sentence. Jesus tells us of the Trinity, its makeup, its role and the implications for our lives. On Pentecost we celebrate Christ’s introduction of the Advocate and the descent of the Holy Spirit. As Jesus was physically present to Philip, we pray for the Holy Spirit to inhabit  our lives, to be present in all that we do… to help us show and tell the love of God… the Creator… the Redeemer… the Sanctifier. Alleluia!