Connected in The Word 7-31-25
“Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. John 14:8-9a
I spend a lot of time outside and see the evidence of God in the beauty of creation. I spend a lot of time with people, and I see God at work in their lives as they love and serve others in their various vocations in life. Whether it’s the majesty of the ocean, the sound of a baby giggling, or the precision of a doctor doing brain surgery – God’s fingerprints are all over the place! Where do you see God at work in the world? Where do you see the fingerprints of God?
Here’s a different question: Where do you see God? I’m not talking about looking for God’s fingerprints – I’m talking about where do you actually see God! Jesus gives Philip the answer to that question in the verses above. If you want to see God – Look at Jesus! But where can Jesus be found these days? Didn’t He ascend back to the Father a couple thousand years ago?
Jesus can be found in the Word as it is heard and read. That Word also reveals and delivers Jesus in the Lord’s Supper and in Holy Baptism. Jesus even shows up to forgive your sins when a pastor or fellow believer proclaims the Absolution in the Name of the Triune God. If you are one of the Baptized who confess “Jesus is Lord”, then you live your life “IN CHRIST” which means Jesus is close enough to hear the prayers you whisper in the night. You might be surprised to know that you can even find Jesus in your needy neighbor (whatever you’ve done to the least of these…). God’s fingerprints are everywhere – But so are His fingers!