How Can We Know the Way?
David Wilkerson explores the disciples' misunderstanding of their relationship with the Father as revealed through Jesus.
David Wilkerson addresses the confusion of Thomas and Philip as they seek to understand the way to the Father, emphasizing their lack of revelation about God's love and care despite their close relationship with Jesus. He highlights that Jesus had been revealing the Father through His actions and teachings for three years, yet the disciples failed to grasp this truth. Wilkerson urges believers to recognize that understanding the Father's nature should alleviate despair and fear in the face of life's challenges. He stresses that Jesus' life was a continuous demonstration of the Father's heart, and through the Holy Spirit, this revelation continues to be shared with future generations.
Text
It must have shocked Jesus to hear Thomas say, "Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?" (John 14:5). Thomas was really saying, "Jesus, You speak so intimately about going to Your Father, but we don't know Him as You do. How can we know the way to the Father?"
This was a confession. Thomas was admitting, "Lord, we know You. We've been intimate with You for the past three years, but we have no revelation of who the Father is -- of His love, His care, His tenderness. Please, before You go, show us the Father." Yet, that is just what Jesus had been doing for the past three years. His disciples had missed the revelation.
If we fully understand that we have a loving, caring heavenly Father, why would we ever be downcast when the enemy comes against us? Why would we despair over a financial burden that seems overwhelming? Why would we wonder why we cannot seem to get victory over a besetting sin?
Listen carefully to Jesus' answer to Thomas. It has everything to do with us: "If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also" (John 14: 7).
Then Philip speaks up: "Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us" (verse 8). Jesus could not believe what He was hearing. You can almost hear the incredulity in His voice as He answers Philip: "Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?" (verse 9).
In other words: "Thomas, Philip, my precious disciples, how can you ask this? You say you know Me, that we are intimate. Yet how could you miss the revelation I have spent the past three years giving you? Don't you yet see that all the mighty works I did were the Father in Me revealing who He is, what He is like, what He wants to be to you? All I taught you was from His heart, not Mine."
Jesus' whole life was an illustrated sermon. Day by day, with every miracle He performed and every parable He taught, He was expressing who the Father is. And He sent His Holy Spirit so His followers could do even greater works and keep revealing the Father's love to new generations.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Introduction to Thomas' question
- Understanding the relationship with the Father
- The disciples' lack of revelation
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II
- Jesus' response to Thomas
- The significance of knowing Jesus
- Connection between knowing Jesus and knowing the Father
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III
- Philip's request for revelation
- Jesus' incredulity
- The importance of recognizing Jesus' role
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IV
- Jesus as an illustrated sermon
- Miracles as expressions of the Father
- The role of the Holy Spirit in revealing the Father
Key Quotes
“Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?” — David Wilkerson
“If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.” — David Wilkerson
“He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- Recognize that knowing Jesus is essential to understanding the Father's love.
- Reflect on how Jesus' actions reveal God's character in our daily lives.
- Seek the Holy Spirit's guidance to deepen our relationship with the Father.