.....note

Whoever has seen me has seen the Father John 14:9

Two letters arrived in the mail from a 9-year-old girl who was away at summer camp. One was addressed to her mom, the other to her dad. The letter to her mom was sweet and personal:

“Dear Mom, I am having a lot of fun at camp. Tell Whiskers [our cat] I miss him. I miss you. Love, Sandra.”

The letter to her dad was short and to the point: “Dear Dad, read Mom’s note. Love, Sandra.” There’s something endearing about that simplicity: the message to Dad was wrapped up in the message to Mom. Everything she wanted to say was already said.

It’s not all that different from how we come to know God. Many people wonder what God is like. Is He angry? Distant? Tender? Harsh? We’re told that God is our Father — but for some people, that concept feels abstract, maybe even a little intimidating. But then Jesus enters the picture.

In John 14, when one of the disciples asked Jesus to “show us the Father,” Jesus answered with these words: “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” In other words: Take a look at my life and you’ll understand more about him.”

Jesus is God in human form. If you want to know what God is like, just look at Jesus. Watch how he treats people. See how he touches the outcasts, weeps with the grieving, confronts injustice, forgives sinners, and welcomes children. See the compassion in his eyes, the strength in his silence, and the love that led him to the cross. That’s the heart of your Father.

So if you’ve ever felt unsure of where you stand with God, if you wonder whether he sees you or loves you — look to Jesus. His life, his words, and his death on the cross speak volumes. You don’t need to guess at God’s love. Jesus has already spelled it out for you. You could say it like this: “Dear world, if you want to know who God is… read Jesus’ story.”

- Ian smith

Father, thank you for revealing your heart through Jesus. Sometimes I get confused or discouraged trying to understand who you are, but then I look at Christ, and I see your love so clearly. Help me to know you better by drawing closer to him. In Jesus’ name, amen.