Putting a Face to a Name

“Philip said, ‘Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.’ Jesus answered: ‘Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”?  Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.’” (John 14:8-10 NIV)

At the beginning of every school year, our ministry compiles a list of names of students that stop by our tables at two events sponsored by the University to acquaint students with the various student organizations on campus.  I always look at them, but they are just names.  The most I can gain from them is the amount of interest shown by girls and guys (always more girls) and what were the most popular first names for babies 18-20 years ago.  What I look forward to is putting faces to at least some of those names.  And during the next couple of weeks, I do just that as I meet students at various events. And with those who become involved in our ministry, I not only put a face to a name, but I begin to put a personality, interests, and a life to it as well.

The Jews knew God as Yahweh.  This was the name by which He told Moses He should be known (Exodus 3:13-14).  And for centuries they knew His name but had never seen His face.  Then came Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah.  He declared His name to be the same as that of Yahweh (John 8:58).  Suddenly, there was a face to put with the Name.  

When we see Jesus, we can put a face to God.  This is what Jesus is telling Philip.  “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.”  As Paul states in Colossians 1:15, Jesus is the image of the invisible God. When we look at Jesus, when we see His life and His works, we see God. He becomes real and more understandable.  Through Jesus, we get to know God on a more intimate level.  We learn about His true nature and the depth of His love.  We learn about His priorities and His passions.  He is no longer just a name or a concept.  

Today, if you are seeking to know God beyond merely His name, then get to know Jesus.  He is the visible face of the God we cannot see.  

© Jim Musser 2014