Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter
How often in Scripture do we get a scene where Jesus seems to be shaking his head wondering when people are going to get it. In today's Gospel I see him doing this in response to Philip, but the reality is, I can truly relate to Philip.
Philip says these words, "Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us." That's not a huge ask, right? And, he promises that that will be enough. Maybe you, like me, have had similar conversations with God, but they never seem to go anywhere for me.
First, they don't go anywhere because I'm essentially bargaining with God. The thing is, everything I have to offer comes from him anyway. Bargain with God is like borrowing something from a friend and then offering to loan it back them.
Second, my "reveal x to me, and that will be enough moments" are always said in the ignorance that proceeds revelation. When the Lord does reveal more it is never enough because the gulf between me and God -- my plans and God's plans becomes more and more apparent. Everything that is revealed about God makes him closer, not because God becomes so much easier for me to approach, but I better comprehend the extent to which He has approached us.
Finally, enough seems like a poor choice of words. I think Philip meant well, but he seem to have a vision that what Jesus was calling him to could be completed within a timely fashion. We do this in our spiritual lives all the time. We don't treat the journey like a lifelong relationship, but instead like it is a task to be achieved. And yet the further we dive into the relationship, the more we recognize that on this side of heaven, there will never be enough.
- Spencer Hargadon