Knowing About Jesus is NOT the Same as Knowing Him

So, in my small group, I mentioned before we’re studying the book of John.  John is an amazing book because of all the imagery and connection of Jesus being one with God.  This week we studied chapters 5 & 6 and it struck me how people of the time were living and walking with Jesus and the majority of them did not perceive that He was the Christ – God with us – because of how they expected the Messiah to come and deliver God’s people.  They were glad for the miracles Jesus performed and were in awe, but still didn’t know who He was.  Because of past traditions and things they’d learned as children, they could not see who was right in front of their eyes.  

Can you imagine being in the presence of the person of Jesus and having no idea that He was God with us?  Imagine seeing Him do what God does instantaneously.  I mean, think about it.  God does the very things Jesus did, just slower.  God designed our bodies to heal over time (sometimes with intervention).  He turns water/juice to wine over time.  He feeds the multitudes through sowing/reaping a harvest, etc.  Jesus had the power to do all these things instantaneously to show us that He was one with God.  I’d like to think if I were in that time, I’d have no doubt, but I can’t say that if I’d been taught the law of the Old Testament my whole life, I would easily grasp that Jesus was the Messiah and the fulfillment of that law. 

How many of us do the same things the people of that day did?  We get caught up in what we’ve experienced and what we’ve been taught and we ignore the truth in front of us.  We don’t see Jesus for our own flawed perceptions.  Whether we see Him or not, Jesus Is.  He is the Bread of Life!  Like bread we eat with our mouths, He is a necessity for nourishing our spirit.  Until we believe on Him (know Him), we are not really alive.  I pray that if you don’t know Him, you’ll take this opportunity to do so.  Knowing Him will change your life!