No one has seen God ∙∙

No one has seen God ∙∙

No one has seen God at any time, but the unique One, who is himself God, who is at the Father’s side, he has revealed him and made him known. – John 1:18

1 John 4:14-15

14 Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
15 All who confess that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God.

The White House Easter Egg Roll

For many Americans, visiting the White House is a cherished dream. Each year, thousands of families gather for the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, a tradition dating back to 1878, when President Rutherford B. Hayes invited children to roll eggs on the South Lawn.

This joyous event continued annually until 1917, when the United States entered World War I. Severe food shortages, particularly eggs, made it impractical to use them for decoration. The deliberate breaking of eggs for Easter during wartime was seen as both wasteful and unpatriotic. With German submarines threatening U.S. supply chains, conserving food became a high priority.

By 1919, food supplies had stabilized, but the tradition did not return until 1921 when President Warren Harding and First Lady Florence Harding revived the celebration. Decades later, the event faced another cancellation on March 16, 2020, when First Lady Melania Trump announced its pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These interruptions left many children disappointed.

Longing to See God

In much the same way as young children do not get to see the White House when the annual egg roll is canceled, many children of the King who long to see Him face-to-face are also very disappointed. The Scriptures make it quite clear that no one has seen God at any time.

During the Old Testament period, many of the children of the King who longed to see Him face-to-face were also very disappointed. Why? The Scriptures make it quite clear that no one has seen God at any time. God Himself stipulated this in Exodus 33:20, saying, “You may not look directly at my face, for no one may see me and live.”

Even so, Moses, in his deep desire for intimacy with God, boldly asked, “Then show me your glorious presence” (Exodus 33:18).

God’s Glorious Compromise

Though Moses could not fully see God’s face, the Father graciously made a way to reveal a portion of His glory. He offered a compromise.

Exodus 33:19-23 recounts this moment of divine compassion and awe-inspiring power: “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, Yahweh, before you. But you may not look directly at my face, for no one may see me and live. Look, stand near me on this rock. As my glorious presence passes by, I will hide you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and let you see me from behind. But my face will not be seen.”

This beautiful passage shows God’s kindness and holiness, offering Moses a glimpse of His glory while protecting him from the overwhelming power of His full presence.

REFLECT & PRAY

Do you want to see the Father face-to-face? One day, that yearning will be realized when you stand in the Father’s presence. Until then, just look at the Son through Whom He has revealed Himself.

Father, we often wonder what You are really like. Thank You for sending Your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to show us.

INSIGHT

The Unseen Father

No human has ever fully seen the Father. His glory is so magnificent and incomprehensible that it remains beyond human capacity. Throughout the Old Testament, God made Himself known through dreams and visions, but even Moses, a great servant of the Lord, was only permitted to see His back.

John 6:46 reminds us, “Not that anyone has seen the Father, except the One who is from God; He has seen the Father.”

Yet, in His infinite love and desire to be known, the Father has done something remarkable and nearly unimaginable.

Revealed Through the Son

John 1:18 declares, “No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.”

This profound truth highlights the significance of Christ’s incarnation. When Jesus Christ, the Son of God, took on flesh and lived among us, He made the Father known to us. But what does this really mean?

The Greek word translated as “revealed” or “explained” in this verse is exegeomai, which means to “lead out, explain, interpret, or make known.” This Greek term is the origin of the English word “exegesis.” Many serious students of the Bible recognize the term. Exegesis is the practice of “carefully interpreting and explaining the Scriptures.” Exegesis is taught at many Bible schools and seminaries throughout the world.

Through Jesus, the true character and essence of God are communicated and interpreted. Since no one can fully comprehend the glory of the Father and survive, Jesus came to reveal the Father, to explain Him, and show us His heart. As Barclay succinctly said, “If you want to see what God is like, look at Jesus.”

The Apostles’ Testimony

The Apostle John’s heart overflowed with joy as he proclaimed this wonderful truth. Read his words in 1 John 1:1-4: “We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life. This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was revealed to us. We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.”

John and the other apostles had the extraordinary privilege of seeing, hearing, and even touching the incarnate Son of God. Imagine the joy and wonder they must have felt, knowing they were in the presence of the eternal Word made flesh.

John loved Him dearly. At the Last Supper, he leaned into Jesus, resting his head on His bosom (John 13:23). This tangible connection underscores the intimacy the apostles shared with Christ, the physical embodiment of the living God in all His glory.

The Radiance of God’s Glory

Scripture further emphasizes that the Lord Jesus Christ was the perfect reflection of God. Hebrews 1:3 states, “The Son is the radiance of his glory and the exact representation of his essence.”

Jesus is more than a messenger. He is the very embodiment of the Father’s character, power, and love. By walking among humanity, He gave us a glimpse into the heart of the Father. His teachings, miracles, and life show us God’s grace, compassion, and righteousness.

If you’ve ever wondered what God is like, look to Jesus. He has opened the door for us to see and know the Father. Through Him, we experience the radiance of God’s glory, leading us to eternal life and everlasting joy.

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© Dr. H 2025