We claim to know Jesus, but does He know us? His name is spoken around the world, yet few have really come to know Him. His us a name that’s dropped when we find it suits us, but will He claim to know us? We’ve read His gospel inside out, and can quote some favorite verses, yet when we describe His nail scared hands, do they really cause us to feel pain? Many will say they’ve know him, and some will come to claim Him, but few will ever obey His voice… fewer yet will walk with Him on the water. So, who are we when we say His name, and will He claim that He has known us as we stand before his Father in judgement? Do we worship Him in spirit and truth, and do we love Him like we should? Or will His life be just another name we drop in church circles while saying we known Him very well, and quoting scripture that has never been revealed to us. Will Jesus know us on judgement day? That depends on this… do we know Him now?
“On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”
Matthew 7:22-23 ESV
It is a frightening thought to think that one day we might stand in judgement before God, and hear Jesus say that He has never known us. The saddest part about the scripture we just read is that these people actually believed that they were serving Him as they should. In fact, the focus of what they were actually arguing was not God, or Jesus, at all, but themselves… the truth is revealed in a single word “we”… “did WE not prophesy”. If we are not careful this is a trap that each of us might fall into. This is what happens when a teacher becomes the reason why people attend a certain class on Sunday morning, when being known by the pastor becomes more important than being known by Jesus, or… well you understand what I am saying here. These things replace the image of Jesus that should be on our faces with our own, or with the face of another.
“For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.”
Romans 8:29 ESV
Jesus warns us that “MANY” will claim to have been serving Him, and will be unknown to Him. He begins our opening passage with these very words “On that day many will say to me”. Oh brothers and sisters, I pray that we never hear him say that he knows us not because if that is true then we will be banished from His presence. We will have missed the truth.
“And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”
Matthew 7:23 ESV
So do we really know Him, and worship as we should in spirit and truth? Are we keeping in mind that Jesus, who is the Son of God, told us that He could do nothing on His own? This being true we can clearly see that we can do absolutely nothing unless we too seek the will of God, and we call on Him in the name of Jesus.
““I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true.”
John 5:30-31 ESV
Today let’s take a very close look at who we worship, and whose image we really honor, or seek to reflect. Let’s be truthful with ourselves and ask if we actually know God, and Jesus Christ. Let’s take stock of our relationship with them, and ask if our relationship with Jesus will allow Him to recognize us when we stand in judgement.
“holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.”
Philippians 2:16 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for creating us in your image, and for returning us to that image through your Son Jesus Christ, who has redeemed us. Help us Father as we pick up our cross and follow Him. Help us as we come to know Him, and walk in close relationship with Him… worshiping you in spirit and truth. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who so loved us that you sent your Son Jesus to live, suffer, die, and be resurrected, that we might be redeemed, and known by Him before you on the day of our judgement. Praised be your name for every day that His image is made more perfect in us, so that you will see Him in us and be pleased. Merciful are you Lord, and amazing is the grace that you pour over us from your holy vessel Jesus Christ. Hear our prayers Holy Father, and receive them in the name of Jesus who intercedes for us always, and announces us as we enter your presence. Wash away our sin with His blood, and find us worthy as He claims us for eternity with you. Praised be your name, and the name of Jesus Christ for there are no other names worthy of our glory and praise.
His Name
By Rich Forbes – 01/02/2022
His name is spoken around the world,
Yet few have come to know Him.
A name that’s dropped when it suits us best,
But will He claim to know us?
Reading His gospel from inside out,
Quoting our favorite verses,
Yet when we look at His nail scared hands,
Do His wounds really hurt us?
Many will say that they’ve know him well,
And some will come to claim Him,
But few will ever obey His voice…
Fewer will walk on water.
So, who are we when we say His name?
Will He claim to have known us?
Do we worship in spirit and truth?
Loving Him as we ought to?
Or will His be a name that we drop
While traveling in church circles;
Knowing ours isn’t one He will know,
Sad Truth, our final judgement.
Rich Forbes