KNOWING JESUS

He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
Matthew 16:15
...Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me...
John 21:15,16,17

The prospect of going to college was so exciting for me. It was to be my first time away from home and I do mean AWAY. I left Southern Illinois to attend a small Christian college that was located right in the middle of the state of Kansas. I had never traveled anywhere even near the border of that state.

A really nice thing the school did ahead of time to break in we freshman girls was to assign to us a senior female student...a big sister. We wrote letters back and forth getting acquainted with each other. My sister's letters were long telling me about herself as well as introducing me to college life. We exchanged pictures of ourselves, but even pictures aren't sufficient to introduce people to each other. When arriving on campus, my big sister had left a gift basket on my desk for me. She had already let me know she wasn't around the dorm very much what with an overload of classes and working almost full time. However, when we did meet, both of us had the same reaction and said almost the same things to each other: “I feel like I've known you for a long time” and “I would have known you anywhere.”

In recent days both in my own personal thinking and study, I've thought a lot about how well I know Jesus. With all of the advantages we have had through the years in getting to know Jesus better, I'm wondering how well we really know Him. I realize we only have the Bible as far as actual written information about Jesus. Throw in Greek and Hebrew translations that do give us a little more insight into word meanings and phraseology, and it all still comes back to the Word of God.

With having studied a lot in the New Testament Gospels, I'm always interested in Jesus' interactions with people. All of His teachings are priceless, but there are what I would call “significant moments” where it may not appear there is much importance to an event, but in such events, Jesus' words can ring down through time. In the Gospels, I think the above two questions in our two Bible verses, posed by Jesus, are important questions for you and me to to answer even if just within ourselves with some clarity and love for Him. Both questions were answered by Peter even though only one was posed to Him personally.

By mid-Matthew, Jesus had been preaching and teaching for awhile. It's hard to tell how far Jesus was into His ministry, but He was beginning to be known. At this time, Jesus was very cautious about becoming famous. In His mind was His own timetable. He knew what awaited Him down the road...a cross. He had much to do with little time. Fame for Jesus was not a friend at that point. Jesus and this band of 12 had ministered to hundreds of people and there was bound to be talk. If people were curious about Jesus, in all probability, they would talk to the disciples about Him. The disciples told Jesus of those men of God of the past folks had mentioned. But then He asked THE question to only the disciples....”Who say ye that I am?” I would imagine there was a bit of a pause with the men looking at each other. Good old Peter spoke up as he was accustomed to doing. His answer was priceless to the point that Jesus told Peter he could only have received that knowledge from God Himself. Peter responded: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Good job, Peter...right on.

After Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, He met with the disciples according to the last chapter in John. He questioned Peter three times regarding his love for Him (Jesus). Some say Jesus asked Peter three times because he had denied Jesus three times. We don't know that, but Peter seemed puzzled being asked the same question three times. Each time though, Peter assured Jesus of his love for Him. Unbeknown to Peter, Jesus knew of some great opportunities that would be Peter's in the beginning of the new church and further missionary efforts that would contribute greatly to the Kingdom.

Let me say that I think these are two of the most important questions Jesus asked in the course of His ministry. Jesus had every right to ask them and today, He has every right to ask you and me those same two questions. Those two questions really go hand in hand. You and I have to come to terms with who we believe Jesus is. I'm not sure how verbal we could be if asked the question by anyone on the spot and that's because we just don't think about Jesus often enough. We could give the usual answers I guess....He's my Savior, my Friend, my prayer answerer, etc. Those really are quite elementary answers for many of us who have KNOWN Jesus for many years. How deep does our relationship with Him go? Have we gotten beyond the pictures on the wall of of our primary Sunday school rooms of Jesus that gives us only basic information.

Without having an initial encounter with Jesus, our own salvation experience, there won't be a relationship. Our salvation opens the door to an ongoing relationship with Him. We should be able to look at Jesus with more of a profound love for Him today than we've ever had. Perhaps one of the reasons Christians today have problems with witnessing is because we really don't love and know Him like we should.

When we get to Heaven and meet Jesus for the first time in person, will we honestly be able to say, “I would have known You anywhere.” I realize we'll see the scars on His hands and feet. Those will be obvious indicators as will His wonderful presence be obvious. Jesus has often come to me through others He has used to minister to me in some way. Jesus will know us, no doubt, but will He look at me with disappointment. I hope not. He wants a close relationship with us. When ladies have told me how they don't feel close to Jesus anymore, my question is always, “Who moved?” I want a strong, loving and close relationship with Him. He's doing His part...am I doing mine? How would I answer today....”Glendarae, who do you say I am?”....”Glendarae, lovest thou Me?” Try those two questions using your name. It's rather convicting.

Dear Father, I love and appreciate all You do for me ..things I don't even think about. Jesus, I love you and am so grateful for the ways you work in my life through your sweet Holy Spirit. I want to serve you faithfully and love you even more. In Your precious name....Amen