After being betrayed by Judas, Jesus knows he's headed to the cross. His soul is troubled. If only his disciples could comfort him. Seeing their frightened faces in the flickering lamplight, he offered them peace. From their perspective, death is a permanent departure. But the cross, the burial, the resurrection, and the return to the Father are how the rooms get ready. What appears to be his absence is the eternal guarantee of his presence. Thomas already rallied the disciples to follow Jesus to Bethany, saying, "Let us also go, that we may die with him." Jesus just told Peter that he will deny him. So, Thomas raises his hand. "I'll follow you if you will tell me where to go." But instead of giving him a map, Jesus tells Thomas he needs to know the Father. So, Philip makes his request: "Show us the Father, then. If that's what we need, then that's what we want." His request echoes Moses' prayer to see God's glory on the mountain. If Jesus will show him God, he's ready to worship. At this final meal, two more disciples are missing the point in two more ways. Thomas is locked into the physicality of Jesus' departure. Philip is looking at Jesus' face and not seeing how he reveals the glory of God. Jesus answers Thomas with his famous declaration, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." He's saying, "You don't need an address. You need me." He asks Philip a question, "After all this time, don't you know me?" He's saying, "You don't need a theophany. You need me." How many times have I prayed, 'God, reveal yourself to me!'? I've closed my eyes in my office and waited for something to shift in the room. I've opened them to see the same cream-colored walls. When I'm distracted by the search for God, I miss out on the opportunity to live with God. Jesus did his works for a few years, and then he departed. Yet because he left to be with the Father, now he is with us. It's not about going somewhere, but being with Jesus wherever he leads us. In his presence, we will do greater things in his name than he did. Thomas wanted to go with Jesus. Jesus left, returned, and sent him. Philip wanted to see God's glory. After the cross and the empty tomb, he did.