John 14:22
Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
John 14:22
Judas (not Iscariot) questions how Jesus will reveal himself to the disciples but not to the world. This moment underscores a mission distinction: the Spirit-enabled faith community experiences the fullness of Jesus’ presence in ways denied to the world. It sets up Jesus’ next promise about dwelling with believers, highlighting the gracious difference between believer-experience and world-reception.
It reinforces the privilege of knowing Christ intimately through revelation granted to believers by the Spirit—an effect of new covenant grace that the world cannot access due to spiritual blindness.
Practical steps:
- Cultivate gratitude for the intimate awareness of Jesus that comes from faith.
- Don’t assume the world will recognize or understand your faith; live in a way that demonstrates Jesus’ presence.
Cross-References: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; 1 Corinthians 2:14; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 1:17-23