Acts 9:3–6 (NIV): As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
Saul met Jesus on the road as he was going to persecute and kill Christians. Jesus knew Saul but Saul did not know Jesus.
Isn't interesting that when we say we know someone we could mean one of basically three things. First, it could mean that we know about that person. We have heard about them or have some information that we have heard about them. (We have never personally met them) I use the example of the Jordan Spieth the golfer. I have been watching him play golf for years and know some information about his gold career. I have even been close enough to him to reach out and touch him. I took a picture of him playing golf here in Atlanta. But I have never met him.
Secondly, it could mean that we have met someone and we say that we know them. Just by exchanging names and shaking someone's hand we think that they will remember meeting us and they will also claim to know us.
Here's the point. Meeting Jesus is just the first step in a lifelong process of getting to know Him. When we first meet Jesus we know about Him more than we know Him. Getting to know someone takes time and deep fellowship.
Which brings us to the third way we use the phrase "I know so-and-so". We have spent time with them. We have had fellowship with them and had deep conversation so that we know more about what is in each other's heart. There is no substitute for spending time with someone that you want to know more in order to get to know their heart.
Developing a relationship with Jesus as His disciple is going to cost you some time. Time in prayer and time in God's Word.
Going back to our foundation scripture in Matthew 11, Jesus said that He wanted to explain the relationship that He has with His Father to us line by line. He wants to show us and teach us the connection that He has with the Father so that we would know and understand with revelation knowledge the connection that we have with Him. (The prayer that He prayed for us that is recorded in John 17 includes the point that we would know the unity that we have with Him and the Father) Jesus wants us to know and experience many things that can only be known and experienced through time spent with Him.
How well do you know Jesus? How much time are you "investing" in your relationship with Him?
Say this: My purpose is to grow as a disciple and in knowing Jesus. Today I will invest time in my relationship with Him.
Pray this: "Lord, I desire to grow in my relationship with You today. Show me things that I have never seen before. I am listening for Your voice and will search Your word to see more about Jesus. I want to know You more deeply."
Saul met Jesus on the road as he was going to persecute and kill Christians. Jesus knew Saul but Saul did not know Jesus.
Isn't interesting that when we say we know someone we could mean one of basically three things. First, it could mean that we know about that person. We have heard about them or have some information that we have heard about them. (We have never personally met them) I use the example of the Jordan Spieth the golfer. I have been watching him play golf for years and know some information about his gold career. I have even been close enough to him to reach out and touch him. I took a picture of him playing golf here in Atlanta. But I have never met him.
Secondly, it could mean that we have met someone and we say that we know them. Just by exchanging names and shaking someone's hand we think that they will remember meeting us and they will also claim to know us.
Here's the point. Meeting Jesus is just the first step in a lifelong process of getting to know Him. When we first meet Jesus we know about Him more than we know Him. Getting to know someone takes time and deep fellowship.
Which brings us to the third way we use the phrase "I know so-and-so". We have spent time with them. We have had fellowship with them and had deep conversation so that we know more about what is in each other's heart. There is no substitute for spending time with someone that you want to know more in order to get to know their heart.
Developing a relationship with Jesus as His disciple is going to cost you some time. Time in prayer and time in God's Word.
Going back to our foundation scripture in Matthew 11, Jesus said that He wanted to explain the relationship that He has with His Father to us line by line. He wants to show us and teach us the connection that He has with the Father so that we would know and understand with revelation knowledge the connection that we have with Him. (The prayer that He prayed for us that is recorded in John 17 includes the point that we would know the unity that we have with Him and the Father) Jesus wants us to know and experience many things that can only be known and experienced through time spent with Him.
How well do you know Jesus? How much time are you "investing" in your relationship with Him?
Say this: My purpose is to grow as a disciple and in knowing Jesus. Today I will invest time in my relationship with Him.
Pray this: "Lord, I desire to grow in my relationship with You today. Show me things that I have never seen before. I am listening for Your voice and will search Your word to see more about Jesus. I want to know You more deeply."
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1 Comment
Yes, communicating is a 2 way process. We want Jesus to hear us, but are we investing time and listening to hear him? Thank you Pastor for sharing these good words!