See Proverbs 30:2–4
Job asks, “Who then can understand the thunder of his power?” (Job 26:14). Solomon asks, “Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands?” (Proverbs 30:4) And Jesus, speaking to Nicodemus, says, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God, unless he is born again. . . . I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?” (John 3:3, 12).
Nicodemus represents the state of the darkened human mind before the advent of the Son. Men could marvel at the vast dimensions of the universe and praise the splendor and beauty of the seas and mountains and the earth itself, but the face of God remained remote. Even the wisest and holiest of men could confess to being ignorant when standing before God.
Then God sent His Son into the world to bring the truth of His light to all men who wished to see. Jesus was not just a healer and teacher and prophet; He was and is the Son of the Living God and He made it known to all who would hear and who could see: “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 are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work” (John 14:9–10).
As Jesus speaks to Philip, He is also speaking to each one of us: “Don’t you know me? Don’t you believe I am who I say I am? Don’t you know that the Father has sent me to you out of divine love? If you don’t believe me, then who do you say that I am?”
—Eric Kampmann, Signposts
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