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 My Utmost for His Highest
by Oswald Chambers.
copyright 1935 by Dodd Mead &