Does He Know Me . . . ?
He calls his own . . . by name . . .
—John 10:3
When I have sadly
misunderstood Him? (John 20:11-18). It is possible to know all about doctrine
and still not know Jesus. A person’s soul is in grave danger when the knowledge
of doctrine surpasses Jesus, avoiding intimate touch with Him. Why was Mary
weeping? Doctrine meant no more to her than the grass under her feet. In fact,
any Pharisee could have made a fool of Mary doctrinally, but one thing they
could never ridicule was the fact that Jesus had cast seven demons out of her (Luke 8:2);
yet His blessings were nothing to her in comparison with knowing Jesus Himself.
". . . she turned around and saw Jesus standing
there, and did not know that it was Jesus. . . . Jesus said to her, ’Mary!’ " (John 20:14,
16). Once He called Mary by her name, she immediately knew that she
had a personal history with the One who spoke. "She turned and said to
Him, ’Rabboni!’ " (John 20:16).
When I have
stubbornly doubted? (John 20:24-29). Have I been doubting
something about Jesus— maybe an experience to which others testify, but which I
have not yet experienced? The other disciples said to Thomas, "We have
seen the Lord" (John 20:25).
But Thomas doubted, saying, "Unless I see . . . I will not believe" (John 20:25).
Thomas needed the personal touch of Jesus. When His touches will come we never
know, but when they do come they are indescribably precious. "Thomas . . .
said to Him, ’My Lord and my God!’ " (John 20:28).
When I have selfishly
denied Him? (John 21:15-17). Peter denied Jesus Christ with oaths and
curses (Matthew 26:69-75), and yet after His resurrection Jesus
appeared to Peter alone. Jesus restored Peter in private, and then He restored
him publicly before the others. And Peter said to Him, "Lord . . . You
know that I love You" (John 21:17).
Do I have a personal
history with Jesus Christ? The one true sign of discipleship is intimate
oneness with Him— a knowledge of Jesus that nothing can shake.
(Taken from Oswald Chambers – “My Utmost For His Highest” August 16)