“O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.” - John 17:25
In a world of confusion, it is important for God's people to know certain things. Our faith needs to grow from “believing,” to “knowing.” It is good to believe certain things, but it is better when we know them.
It is important to be critical in your thinking. We are living in the “information age.” The problem is that such information may be incomplete, tainted or completely wrong. Just because something is taught in a book doesn't make that information correct. Even text books can have flaws and mistakes. Thus, modern education must be examined properly through the lens of truth.
There is only one Book that is perfect with knowledge and wisdom, and that Book is the Bible. The Bible doesn't have all the information available. For instance, it isn't a science text book, although it has scientific facts in its pages. The Bible is not a complete history book. It does have critical historical data, yet it doesn't have all the history of the world recorded. Although it isn't primarily a science or history book, it has the most important information of all. It tells us about God, the human condition and God's plan of redemption.
The Bible leads a person to genuine faith. As we continue to read and study the Word, our faith deepens. We go from “believing,” to “knowing.” We know we are saved. We know that Jesus is Lord. We know He is faithful.
When Jesus prayed to His Father in John 17, the Lord said, “O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.” Notice the words, “know,” and “known,” in this verse. The world does NOT know Him. Yes Jesus DOES know the Father. Now, the followers of Jesus KNOW that Jesus was sent from the Father.
Many argue that Jesus was just a good man. Others think He was a great philosopher. It is obvious that they don't know Him. The Christian KNOWS that He is the Son of God. What a blessing to know this. I may not know a lot of things in life, but I do know the most important thing. I know who Jesus is. I know Him personally. He knows me.
Jesus was sent by the Father. He came to earth on a rescue mission. Because of love, the Son of God came and dwelt among men. Jesus put it this way, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” In this famous verse, Jesus declared that He was sent by the Father. Furthermore, He tells us why He came, “... that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The Father sent His Son so that men would receive eternal life by trusting in Him.
Through Jesus Christ, we can know the Father and be known by Him. There are many people I do not know. I have never met most of the people on this planet. I have never met or talked with celebrities, the wealthy or the powerful. Yet I know One who is greater than them all. He knows me.
Knowing the situation we were in, God got personally involved and made a way for us to be saved from the penalty of sin (which we deserved). At the same time, we have the blessing of knowing Him on a personal level. We can know God. We can love Him. We can serve Him. We can walk with Him every day. What a blessing to know Him!
I know the Father sent Jesus to earth. Those of us who know Him are now being sent by Him to share this message with others. We are sent to tell the thirsty about the living water. We are commissioned to share the Living Bread with hungry souls. We are to take the light into the world of darkness, so others may begin to see.
Yes, we know that Jesus was sent by the Father. As we approach the Christmas holiday, we rejoice that a Savior was sent to redeem us. We owe everything to Him.
Do you know Him?
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