Hopefully you've read through chapters 13-17 to see the through line of the conversation being the immanence of Jesus' departure. Jesus says a lot in this section but the questions that the disciples keep bringing up revolve around why they can't go with him and continue to be where he is. One of the most notable conversations is in chapter 14.
John 14:1–11
1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 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. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 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 authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.
Jesus seems appalled at Philip's demand to see the Father precisely because Jesus has spent so much time with him that he should know by now that Jesus and the Father are one. True knowledge of Jesus' identity is the fruit of time spent with him. It is one thing for the Pharisees who spent relatively little time with him, watching his life, his teaching and his miracles to not believe in him. It is another thing entirely for someone who has spent the last 3 years with him to not believe.
In the context of our series here, to do ministry like Jesus we must build trust with people over time. This time we spend with others, should bear witness to our integrity and point to Jesus. It should be our prayer that after spending time with our spouse, our children, our families, our friends and coworkers they see our good deeds and give glory to our Father in heaven (Matt. 5:16). Like Peter and John in Acts 4:13, when others see our lives they should recognize that we have been with Jesus.
Additional Content
Reflection
You likely have a better chance of living incarnationally as a witness to people far from God than I do as a pastor. Commit to living like Jesus today and doing ministry like he did ministry—by spending time with people.