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Monday, March 9, 2026 Have I Been So Long With You? |
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Scripture: John 14:7-9 (NASB 1995) – “‘If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.’ Philip said to Him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?”. Message: Almost everyone who knew my husband remembers his inimitable sense of humor. Even in the years he struggled with two types of dementia, he could nearly always pull out just the right line at just the right time. One of his favorites came from this passage. When someone asked if he had done a task he considered part of his regular routine or inquired about something else that, in his mind, had an equally obvious answer, then he would inquire, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know me?” The typical response to this question was a confused stare followed by a sudden moment of realization – at least for those who recognized the Biblical reference. As I think about Philip and his encounter with Jesus, I realize he too may have responded with a confused stare followed by a sudden moment of realization. His initial request seemed reasonable: “Lord, show us the Father.” But what he didn’t see – until Jesus highlighted the obvious – was that the Father stood in front of him. Indeed, he did not yet know Jesus in this way. How often do our responses and requests mirror Philip’s? Do we demand a demonstration of divine power when it is already evident? Do we act as though God has forgotten us when he stands before us? Are we missing some aspect of the Lord’s work because we are lacking in our knowledge of Him? Prayer: Open our eyes, Lord, and let us see Jesus in each moment of every day. Let us not be among those who are familiar with the facts without following in faith. Thank You for Your patience and especially for Your grace. In Your Holy name. Amen. Marti Pieper Seneca Baptist Church, Seneca, South Carolina
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