Philip: Learning To See Beyond

McGyver:

I grew up watch Richard Dean Anderson play the role of Angus McGyver, a secret agent MacGyver is known for his ability to solve complex problems and escape dangerous situations using everyday objects and his extensive scientific knowledge, often creating ingenious gadgets and tools from seemingly mundane items. The character became iconic for his ingenuity, quick thinking, and aversion to violence, preferring to use his intellect and creativity to overcome challenges.

The show's name, "MacGyver," has since become synonymous with improvising solutions and fixing problems using unconventional methods.

What we know:

Historical knowledge found in the biblical text

4 Philips in the New Testament

Philip the Evangelist chosen to oversee mercy mission in Acts 6:5, 21:7-8 Philip the Tetrarch the son of Herod , Philip V of Macedonia, and of course the Apostle Philip.

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Biblical Accounts

Philip is listed fifth among the Twelve (Matt 10:2–4; Mark 3:14–19; Luke 6:13–15; Acts 1:13). John does not include a list of the Twelve—despite mentioning them in John 6:67, 70–71; 20:24—but Philip is included among Jesus’ close disciples in his Gospel

Philip like Andrew is only known by his Greek name. Philip means “Lover of horses”

Philip is likely from Bethsaida and he and Nathaneal are already familiar with or even friends with Peter, Andrew, James, and John. Jn:1:44

Philip is likely a fisherman as well. John 21:2, in the list are “two others” who are likely Philip and Andrew. These two are frequently listed with Peter, James, and John, Thomas, and Nathaneal.

Philip is the only disciple account in which Jesus seeks him out. Jn1:43, Jesus after calling Andew, John, Simon, and James declares they are heading to Galilee to get Philip. Philip was likely a student of study looking for the Messiah and possibly had a connection with John the Baptist as well. His address to Nathanael “we have found the messiah” reveals that he has been actively seeking. Perhaps alongside Andrew and John.

Where is Philip highlighted?

We are first introduced intimately to Philip this wide eyed student who is searching for God’s presence and power in the world. The Gospel of John is the only source that gives us details and a real personal glimpse into Philip’s character.

Philip is the first of the disciples to not only hear the invitation of Jesus according to John (because the others had already been directed to Jesus by his cousin John the Baptist) he was the first to respond to the invitation.

After his call by Jesus, Philip’s desire is for his closest friend to know and see what has taken place. Philip goes and gets Nathanael. His friend though, isn’t so easily convinced. Yet, Philip is fully convinced the search is over “we have found the messiah, the one written about in the Law of Moses” Yet, Philip is persistent. He knows what he knows and needs others to know it as well. Like Andrew, Philip shares a desire to bring people to Jesus. But Philip has a blind spot. Whereas Andrew is optimistic about the possibility Philip we learn is limited by his tight clench of reality. Philip lacks vision for what might be because of his grounding in only what he can see. Philip can’t see beyond the reality to the possibility. There is a great quote in one of the Lion King animated films where Rafiki in which he makes this claim “you must look beyond what you can see”

Philip, was open to the presence of God in his life did not understand how the power of God will change his life.

Limited instead of limitless

Philip, is put on the spot with Jesus in the event of the feeding of the 5000. It is likely a typical day as Jesus is teaching his disciple on the mountainside just away from the Sea of Galilee and a great crowd gathered. Jesus teaches all day and the crowd has enthusiastically come and stayed (One may say that they were committed to staying where they were fed)

It was late and Jesus asks Philip “Where will we buy bread for these people to eat?” it is important to note that Philip was from Bethsaida and Jesus knew he was familiar with the resources in that nearby town. Philip responded “eight months of wages is not enough to buy each person a little”

What conclusions can we draw from the text?

Philip had already done the calculations. He had an idea in mind of how much was needed and how much money was required. Philip functions as a manager so to speak. He is looking to what has to happen and the resources at this disposal. Now we know that Judas was the one that managed the money purse but possibly it could be Philip directed its uses for their own food and lodging, and other travel needs. Philip kept track of things. Why else might Jesus ask Philip this? Philip needed a lesson in “what is impossible”

Philip could only see what he had and not the possibility.

Philip wasn’t there to witness the great catch of fish that Peter, Andrew, James, and John witnessed. Philip was there to see water changed to wine at the wedding feast but this was different. Philip needed his mind stretched. Impossible was not a word that constrained Jesus. Of course we know that the rest is history.

Policy and Procedure/ Protocol and Prime Directive

Next we see Philip in action in John 12:20-21, a group of Gentiles, Greeks to be specific sought out Philip. Now I find it interesting that these Greeks came to Philip an Israelite, more than likely they knew they were outsiders but here the author of John could be giving us a clue as to how Jesus was accessible for all people.

Philip was likely sought out because he had a Greek name. This could be the point of connection that these outsiders would utlize to gain an audience with Jesus. It’s the Passover, and Jerusalem is filled with proselytes.

Philip though, even in the midst of this connection finds it hard to break the culture barrier. Philip takes these Greeks not to Jesus but to the other disciple only known by his Greek name Andrew. It wasn’t Philip that took them to Jesus, it was Andrew.

Philip couldn’t overcome the rules of his society. It is a typical manager mentality. Tow the company line. How can I make this conclusion? Because Philip found Nathanael and immediately took his friend to Jesus. His friend and fellow Jew was not a question. Because Jesus was for them. These were outsiders, Jesus, the Messiah was for Israel not for the world. Jews historically didn’t concern themselves with the cultures around them. They were God’s chosen people.

Jesus even said I have come for the lost sheep of Israel. When he sent them out two by two he said don’t go into the homes of the gentiles.

Philip forgot:

Isaiah 49:6 “he says, “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.””

Jesus even said to his followers “You are the light of the world, a city on a hill cannot be hidden”

God’s promise, the messiah was to bring salvation to all the world through the Jewish people not limited to only being for the Jews.

Philip was in the Upper Room with the others and a grieving Jesus. After a long discourse of what was about to take place and the comfort he offered his followers, Philip asked a question that cements our understanding of his reality. Philip asks Jesus in John 14:8, Jesus show us the Father and that will be enough. Philip, even after all that he has witnessed, experienced, and challenged with teaching still can’t look beyond what he can see. Jesus responds with Jn 14:8-14

John 14:8–14 NRSV

Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.

Jesus implores Philip and the others to come the rest of the way. They know what they have witnessed, heard, and experienced with Jesus under his leadership. Now they must take the next step and believe his is Messiah not with their minds (for that case has already been made) but with their hearts.

How was Philip changed? The power of the Holy Spirit.

Rigidity must given way to grace. Policy must be interpreted through love. Procedure with mercy.

Limitation must give way to opportunity.

Philip needed to make room for Jesus to change the world through his own transformation. Philip sees the reality in front of him, and only focuses on normal guidelines, and can’t see beyond limitations.

Jesus uses the unimaginable and the unconventional to do the impossible.

Church tradition teaches that Philip was martyred about 8 eight years after James, in Heliopolis in Phrygia (Asia Minor). He preached and brought many to the presence of Jesus Christ before his death. Once a man who knew only constraint of policy and procedure, who knew only the limitations of resources, who could only see the impossible

Preached the abundant grace and power of God, provided the smallest efforts for an extraordinary impact, and the impossible…became real.

How does an ordinary person have extraordinary influence?

Share the story. Recount the experience.

You already have what you need.

Give room for God to work.

Submit to opportunity and not limitation.

Give God the vision for your life and watch how he uses the unimaginable with the unconventional to do the impossible. God is so much better than McGyver!!