Jesus’ fourth instruction came in response to Philip asking Him to “show us the Father.” Jesus responds by saying, “Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?… Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me.” Previously He instructed the Apostles to BELIEVE IN Him but now He’s simply telling them to BELIEVE Him. There is a difference between those instructions. To “believe in” someone is an idiomatic way of expressing belief in their existence. To “believe” someone is to accept that what they are saying is true. Why does Jesus feel the need to make this one of His final instructions?
John 14:8-14 (ESV)
Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.”9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. 12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
Lesson Resources:
John H. Walton. The NIV Application Commentary: Genesis. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2001.