The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 244

lmt mi~tnkcn Rtruggle~ (or this. (2) This want wri~ generally felt. "Show u~ tlio Father," It ,vns not the cry of one, but the cry of nil to a more or less extent. It wns the common prnycr of the human family, expres~ed in every a"'e, in differen& wnys, nnd through diffcrer.t mediums, God is the nnivcrsnl Father, :i.~d to know and renlizo him was a universal want. (3) Thie want 'l'!'as now e,9rcially felt by the disciples, "Show us the Father." They hRd. heard so much of him in the ministry of Jesus, nod this hnd excited in them an intense desire to- know more of him, to enjoy n closer fellowship with him, nnd even to have B direct vision of him in hi~ endearing chnracter, nnd especially would they feel this desire DCl'IV as Jesus was about to leave them; then they sighed for B vision of their Father. 3. That such a vision, they believed, Jesus was fully able to furnish. "Lord, show us," etc. Of his ability to do this they Bre quite confident, of his willingness they have but little doubt; hence th& prayer is direct, confident, but reverential. Their request is a,ldressed to the prope:r Person, and their confidence is well founded. Jesus was able and willing to furnish them with a vision of the Father, and struggled hard to prepare them for it. 4. Thal such a vision would be most satisfying. "It sufficeth us." (1) Most satisfying to faith. Fnith had become weak nnd struggling; her eye was dim by gazing on the invisible, and panted for a present and real vision of the Dh·ine, the Source of light and love. Such a vision as requested would invigorate and even satisfy faith. (2) Most satisfying to conscience. 'fhe conscience by sin is become guilty, burdened, and turbulent. The 1·iii:hteousness and reconciliation of God in Christ alone can appease it, and B full view of God in real character and disposition as a kind, loving, and forgiving Father can alone satisfy it. (3) Most satisfying to the hea,·t. 'fhe orphan-cry of the human heart is for the Divine Father. There is in it a craviog which nothing can satisfy but the Divine Father, a vacant seat whtt:h no one else can fill. But a clea1 vision of the Father will give full satisfaction to the spiritual nature of man. II. Tms DIVINE VISION HAD BEEN GIVEN. 1. It had been given in Christ. "He that bath seen me," etc. (1) In Christ the nature and 1·elationship of God were mani- fested. • Being essentially-one and equal with him, "the Image of the invisible God, the Brightness of bis glory, and the express lmaz6 r,f his Person," he had a unique capacity of revealing his nature and glory as a personal, infinite Spirit, and the Spirit- Fathel' of the human race. (2) Iu Christ the e.\aracter of God was manifested. Not only as the Creator of men, but 118 their Father; and in his life, actions, and conduct the power, wisdom, justice, holiness, love, and mercy of the supreme Father shone with constant 11nd Divine brilliancy. (3) In Christ Goa's will was manifested. In his life on earth he was an embodiment of the Divine heart and a revelation of Lhe Divine will and purposes, and the Divine vision was exhibited in our nature, so that it was near clear, and in the most attractive and oongeninl form. 2. It had been given, but not full 9 realized. (1) Because Christ was not fully knoW'll. To realize fully the vision of thl' Father, Christ must be fully known. 'l'o see the Father, Christ must be seen and recognized. The very request, '' Show us the Father," is a confession of their ignorance of Jesus; for if they had known him, they would have known the Father. (2) Jesus was not fully known, although the greatest advantages to know him had been enjoyed. "So long a time with you." It would not be a long time to be with many, but a long time to be with Jesus. An hour with him was an age of the highest tuition. Their progress is not commensurate with their advantages. (3) It takes a long time to know Jesus fully. It was so in this instance. They 'l'l'ere very ignorant, short-sighted, a□ d materfal in their notions of his mission and reign ; so that to know him cost them repeated failures and struggles, and.cost him repented revelations. 3. Their coofesse,l ignorance of Jems called forth from. him ve1·.1J significant and valuable expressions. "Have I been so long time with you," etc.? (1) There is here a feeling of surprise and even grief. Christ struggled hard to reveal himself, his Person, character, Divinity, mission, his inmost thoughts and heart. Some are afraid to be really known-recogni- tion pains them; such are impostors. But it pained Jesus not to be known. His chief object in making himself known was to make known the Father. He was the onl_y Medium of this knowledge and vision. (2) There is here a gentle rebuke. It 1" addressed to nil, especially to Philip. "And yet hast thou not known me, Philip?" Thou, one of my first followers, who gavest such an early promise of spirit1:1al insighi inlo and recognition of my character and mission I And think of the long time I have  25! THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO S1'. JOHN. [en. xiv. 1-31.