23 Aug How Do You Know That You Know Jesus?

Have you ever heard someone say something to the effect of: “Geez, just when you think you know a person?” We often think we know someone better than we do. It’s a mistake we have made in ministry more than once. So, what is the gauge you can use to determine whether you truly know someone versus simply being acquainted with them? The answer is your personal history with them.

The longer your personal history with someone, the better you know them. Obviously, if you don’t have a personal history with them, you really don’t know them at all. You can gauge personal history by identifying key moments in your relationship with that person that date back a long period of time. The same is true of our relationship with Jesus. The more key moments you can remember in your relationship with Jesus, the better you know Him. Oswald Chambers pointed to three examples in the gospels.

1. Does he know me when I have failed to know him (John 20:11–16)? When Mary Magdalene saw Jesus outside his tomb, she didn’t recognize him. But he knew her: “Jesus said to her, ‘Mary’” (v. 16). The instant Mary heard her name, she cried out, “Teacher!”
2. Does he know me when I have stubbornly doubted (John 20:24–29)? Have I been doubting something about Jesus—an experience others testify to but which I haven’t had? The other disciples told Thomas that they’d seen Jesus, but Thomas doubted.
3. Does he know me when I have selfishly denied him (John 21:15–17)? Peter had denied Jesus Christ three times, yet after the resurrection, Jesus appeared to Peter alone. He restored Peter in private, and then he restored him before the others. And Peter said, “Lord, you know that I love you” (v. 16).

All three people in these examples had a personal history and a close personal relationship with Jesus. Chambers points out that far too many confuse knowing about Jesus through study (which is important) with having a deep, personal history with Him. Can you find moments in your life like those above? Or do you need to go all the way back to the day He showed Himself to you and you said yes to Him?

The key to all these moments is that despite the failings or circumstances of the three, Jesus showed up and loved them; He did not condemn them. Take a moment and try to recall moments where Jesus did the same for you. You may be surprised just how well you know Jesus!

Pastor Jerry Bader