Knowing Jesus Christ
Matthew 7: 21-23, Matthew 25: 11-12

Do you know Him, and does He know you?

Probably one of the most alarming things that Jesus pointed out during His visitation was this warning statement concerning “knowing him”.  He wanted to make it perfectly clear that there was to be a “relationship” between the believer and Himself.  So, how do we get to know Jesus, and how does He recognize us as His own?  I believe there is a distinction between “knowing him” and “knowing of him”, and we need to “know” the difference.

As soon as I started reflecting on the word “know”, two songs came to memory:  Getting to Know You  by Hammerstein  and  To Know Him is to Love Him  by Phil Spector.  These two songs were popular during the 50’s.  They both speak of an intimate relationship with someone else.

In the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25, only half of them were able to meet the Groom, when He arrived.  The other five did not have enough oil to continue their journey and had to go and buy more.  When they returned to where the wedding was taking place, they were not allowed in because the bridegroom did not recognize them as belonging to Himself: They said, “Lord, Lord, ‘open the door for us!’  “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.”

When Jesus spoke to Nicodemus in John 3 He went right to the point.  He told Nicodemus that He would have to be “born again” in order to enter into the Kingdom of God.  He then proceeded to tell Him how that is possible.  When we think of being born we have a whole different visualization because of our technology.  We actually have a window on the womb and understand the whole process.  Nicodemus was not privy to that information and so Jesus used an example he could understand.  One thing scientists have discovered and that is that as soon as the male sperm penetrates the female egg there’s an explosion of continuous development and with it the DNA is present that identifies the physical characterization of the developing child. And so it is spiritually, that as soon as we believe In God’s Salvation – Jesus Christ, we begin a brand new life in Christ; sealed by the Holy Spirit; we are identified with Him,  and He knows us as His own. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

 In the “born again” relationship we know Christ by abiding in His Word and by yielding to His Holy Spirit. As we apply the Word to our lives, we take on the characterization of His divine nature (DNA) and become Christ-like. Then, when He comes to take us Home the relationship is complete and we know Him as we are known.

“Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully even as I am fully known.”  1 Corinthians 13:12