Christosis: Imitating JesusÀpẹrẹ

A modern interpretation of Philip’s questioning in verse 8 might sound like:

“Hey Jesus, you keep talking about the Father… show us the Father!”

Or:

“Hey Jesus! Why are you inviting us over to someone else’s house?”

Jesus’ disciples sometimes miss His oneness with God (John 10:30)—and we do the same. Jesus doesn’t fit the context of what humanity expects from divinity.

Consider today’s reading in John 13:3–5, which happens right before Jesus’ farewell message. Verse 3 says the Father “had given everything into His hands.” Jesus had all the power, authority, and glory. So what did He do? He didn’t demand that His subjects bow before Him. Instead, He washed their feet. Jesus is revealing what God is truly like.

We often expect a “power over” kind of God, or one who wouldn’t set such an example (because that would mean we’re expected to follow it).

This story reveals something critical about the nature of God:

“Because Jesus was/is God, He washed feet.”

When we study the Gospel’s closely we could also say:

“Because Jesus was/is God, He became flesh.”

“Because Jesus was/is God, He went to the cross.”

“Because Jesus was/is God, He loves you.”

In John 14:9, when Jesus responds to Philip, He reaffirms His oneness with the Father—the same oneness He declared in John 10:30.

Jesus is introducing us to what modern theologians call Perichoresis. Jesus is God. God is Jesus. Jesus is the Spirit. The Spirit is Jesus. God is three-in-one, yet distinct. Philip’s question builds a Trinitarian bridge.

As New Testament scholar Michael Gorman writes: “Jesus in motion is God in motion.”

Therefore, when Jesus invites his followers to be with him, God is inviting his followers to be with him.

Jesus didn’t come to rescue us from God.

Jesus came to reveal who God truly is and to bring us closer to Him.

Look at Jesus, and you will see how much God wants to be with you.

Have you ever struggled with the idea that God wants to spend time with you?

Has someone ever taught you that God is always angry, upset, or on the verge of casting you away?

Look to Jesus.

Jesus reveals both the path to the Father and the heart of the Father.

As we grow in Christosis, pray this simple prayer:

“God, thank You for loving me. Draw me closer to You.”