Does He Know Me…?
He calls His
own…by name… —
John 10:3
When
I have sadly misunderstood Him? (see 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 (see 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? (see
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? (see
John 21:15-17). Peter denied Jesus Christ
with oaths and curses (see 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)