If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.

John 14:7-11

Why do I exist? What is my purpose in life? 

These are very important questions that need the correct answers if we are to truly understand our role in the universe. Jesus challenges us to seek clarity about these questions  beyond personal experiences or philosophical pontification.

When Philip asks for Jesus to show him the Father, he echoes the quest of humanity to understand God and His will. Jesus rebukes Philip because His earthly ministry was entirely focused on following the will of the Father. His teachings and His works proved that He was One with the Father. 

Thankfully, we are not left to wonder aimlessly about God’s nature and will. God has revealed these to us in the Bible. In particular, Jesus gave the final word about these things giving us enough clarity to live with understanding. Consider Paul’s testimony:

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Hebrews 1:1-2

If we are to understand God, we must believe in Jesus and believe what He said and did. Further, if we are to understand our purpose in life, we need to know the will of God. That is not a question left unanswered. John tells us plainly, the answer is seek and follow the true Jesus of the Bible.

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

1st John 1:1-4

We have before us a remarkable declaration by Jesus about the unity of the Godhead. Jesus tells us that, if we know Him, then we know the Father. Essentially, Jesus teaches us a belief in Him will align us with God’s will and fulfill our joy in our journey of faith.