•9:00 AM
John 14:9 ....."Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me..."
Every single question that Jesus directed toward men in His earthly ministry contained at least three inherent qualities.
First, each one was intended to foster the apprehension of spiritual truth in the recipients.
Secondly, they were always penetrating and thought provoking in nature, challenging the hearer to reason his or her way to the proper conclusion and, as a result, undertake an appropriate course of action.
Thirdly, none of them were asked for the purpose of acquiring information.
A prime example is found in Luke 6:46 as Jesus was addressing His newly-appointed apostles, a group of disciples from whom He had chosen the Twelve, and a great multitude of people who had sought Him out for both teaching and healing (6:17-19). He asked, "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?"
The spiritual truth to be apprehended was the inconsistency of saying one thing and doing another, giving lip service to His authority while disregarding His directives.
Such alignment of lips and life is the very essence of hypocrisy.
If someone on the receiving end of the question thus reasons that he or she is playing the hypocrite, then the challenge is to undertake a life of obedience that reflects a genuine recognition of His Lordship and brings the lips and life into agreement.
A less well-known but equally powerful question was directed toward the apostle Philip on crucifixion eve. Jesus said to him, "Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip?" (John 14:9). The context has Jesus engaged with the apostles (minus Judas Iscariot) in perhaps the most intensive and comprehensive teaching interlude of His ministry. Simon Peter and Thomas had raised a few questions and doubts respectively about where Jesus was going and the way to get there. Jesus in turn affirmed that He was the way to the Father, and that knowing Him was in essence knowing the Father. At that point, Philip interjected saying, "Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us" (14:8).
The statement implied that Philip was not satisfied with Jesus alone.
The question posed by Jesus to one of His servants lends itself to our encouragement as well as our instruction.
First, notice that when responding to both Peter (13:36-38) and Thomas (14:7-8), the Lord did not employ a personal address. But He addressed Philip by name, in part to signify the personal attention He was giving to the issue raised by Philip, and in part as an expression of His tenderness and concern for one in whom He had invested so much.
Secondly, the knowledge vacuum of which Jesus spoke was relative rather than absolute. In other words, Philip knew the Lord Jesus in terms of a saving relationship, but his spiritual perception of Christ had not advanced to the maximum extent warranted by three years of exposure and interaction.
Thirdly, since the phrase "so long time" equates to a three-year period for Philip, why not assume for present-day purposes that three year-old converts who still exhibit spiritual dullness, and lack steadfastness, have suffered in their spiritual advancement?
Lastly, we may conclude that knowing Jesus to fullest extent possible in this life is the most noble and rewarding pursuit than can be undertaken by a sinner saved by grace!
I wonder whether that penetrating question directed by Jesus toward Philip in those precious hours before His arrest and trial might have some thought-provoking relevance for you and me at this hour.
How long has Jesus been with us?
Has it been three days, three months, three years, or three decades?
To what extent have we advanced in our experiential knowledge of Him?
Can we hear the Lord Jesus addressing us by name in our heart of hearts, admonishing us that for so long time we have come to apprehend so little about His magnificent Person and His matchless grace?
