Philip makes a most reasonable request of Jesus. He says “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”
All he’s asking for is a little proof to shore up his belief. But the disciples aren’t in a hostage negotiation with Jesus where the one on the hook of trust is asking for proof of life. He is assuring them that they know the way to the father and they are asking for assurance.
They are, it would seem, hedging their bets. Do they know the way? Yes, but can they say so with absolute certainty? Well . . .
That’s the billion dollar question. Because we want to say “of course not” But Jesus, he says yes.
There is a fundamental difference in how Philip and Jesus understand a proof’s purpose.
The modern world offers an understanding of proof that is scientific: observable, repeatable, knowable fact. We discover proof through a scientific method which unveils the truth.
The central nature of the scientific method isn’t providing proof for belief, however. We don’t start at the proof, we start at the hypothesis and then test it. A hypothesis is considered true if it has been thoroughly tested and cannot be disproven.
The irony for many, is that we think it is the opposite. That we must test for the truth and then, after finding it, we can believe. It seems Philip is in bountiful company these days. Proof, they might say, will lead to belief. But that isn’t belief. It’s fact.
The kind of knowing Jesus describes begins with centuries of relationship, of miracles, of being in the thick of things doing the work. He seems to be saying the “proof” they seek can be found in being in relationship with God. And seeing that truth and grace for ourselves.