147. The Prayer Of Philip.

The Prayer Of Philip. The Prayer as recorded.—John 14:8. The Lord’s Answer.—John 14:9-20.

Philip seems to have possessed rather confused ideas with regard to the divinity of the Savior; we infer this from not only the prayer, but the gentle rebuke of Jesus in reply to it. It seems the simple announcement of the truth that he was one with the Father, was not sufficient for Philip, but he wished some remarkable demonstration of it; and are there not many Philips now? Many who are not willing to accept this mystery simply because it is the truth of God. Shall a man comprehend his Maker? or finite fathom infinity?

If God be nothing more than one, a child can compass the thought. But seraphs fail to unravel the wondrous unity of three.

“It is written, and so we believe, Waiting not for outward proof, Inasmuch as mysteries inscrutable Are the clear prerogatives of Godhead.”

Christ’s answer to Philip is full of love, and his explanation of the union of believers with himself and the Father, is clear and comforting to the Christian heart. However weak your faith, or burdened your spirit, you have here a gentle word of encouragement. In view of his separation from his disciples, Jesus seems to pour out a large and full measure of those precious promises which have cheered the path of many a lonely and broken-hearted one, many a timid and struggling child, to the arms of that “friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” We have here, too, another announcement of that sacred truth, that Jesus is our intercessor and advocate with the Father, that though the world see him not, yet his children see him, and he is ever present to comfort and guide them.