John’s gospel has been called “the gospel of questions” by some.
The questions raised in the gospel pop out at you – after you think about them…and realize that they are even there.
Questions of course, are “an essential part” of our every day conversations. They serve as “invitations to dialogue” and “aid” in the gaining of knowledge.
“How are you doing?” “How are you feeling?” “What do you think?” “Can you help me?”
Little wonder then, that questions run throughout John’s gospel and give us some important insight.
You may remember at the beginning of the gospel – Andrew asks Jesus where he is staying.
A little while later, Nicodemus wants to know how a grown man – can climb back into his mother’s womb…and be born again!
A Samaritan woman asks where she can get a hold of – the living water that Jesus has been talking about.
And on and on it goes, throughout the entire gospel…Peter, Pilate and all kinds of other persons will be raising all kinds of questions with Jesus.
They apparently believe he is the man with all the answers.
The questions asked in the gospel text for tonight are some real doozies. They come from two of the lesser known disciples, Thomas and Philip.
Some of the questions asked – can be downright embarrassing and all but impossible to answer.
So, to give you a contextual setting, it is Maundy Thursday. We are talking Holy Week. We are talking hours away from being betrayed, handed over, denied and ultimately crucified.
Jesus knows that he will soon leave this world – and at the same time – he is attempting to prepare his disciples for all the events that are about to transpire.
In John’s gospel 4 entire chapters are spent – talking about Jesus’ imminent departure.
Jesus has just raised the issue of his betrayal…and told Peter that he will deny knowing Jesus three times.
And then he says, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” Yeah, right!!! We are not supposed to be troubled by all of this?
Jesus says, “Trust me,” “Believe in me,” “Have faith in me.”
Then before you know it, he moves on talking about “going away,” “preparing places,” and “coming back.” His words are cryptic.
Thomas is the one who raises the next question: “We don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
And when he can stand it no longer – Philip does “a follow up” – he asks the question that “no faithful Jew” would ever ask. Actually, it is a statement, a request, a demand, a plea, but underneath it all lies a question.
Show us the Father! We want to see what God looks like? Show us him.
I imagine everything got pretty quiet with that question. A collective gasp would have been in order.
It was an audacious and inappropriate question to ask…it was a question that was out of line.
The bigger question was – just how would Jesus handle it and just how would he respond to it?
If you will remember in ancient Israel, it was always believed and simply understood – that no one can see God and survive. You cannot look upon him and live.
God is too holy, too awesome, too great, too much for us to bear! He is too full of potential and life. He is too filled with glory to be gazed upon.
Philip’s was a question that went unspoken and unasked in Israel…and yet, he asked it anyway…and…he asked it of Jesus.
There are all types and kinds of questions, some appropriate, some not so much. Some questions we ask are simply none of our business. Sometimes we don’t even know how to ask the question…and we fall all over our own words.
This was that kind of a moment.
Jesus responded – NOT in frustration or in anger, but in love. His response was loving and kind.
It is meant to remind us of the beginning of John’s gospel in the prologue. It ties it together.
The prologue ends with these words: No one has seen God. But the only begotten Son, who rests in the very bosom of the Father…has made him known.
Jesus showed us the Father…and what he was like…and it is a picture of unconditional love and loving.
Amen.