When someone does something that is so out of character for them we often say “I don’t even know who you are!”  That is not unlike the character of Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol” after his visitations with the Christmas ghosts.  The old miserable, miserly and selfish Scrooge was now the cheerful, generous and caring benefactor to those he had recently snubbed.  But that’s the way it is with people.  We change.

That cannot be said of Jesus.  He is the same yesterday, today and yes even forever (cf. Hebrews 13:10).  That is a good thing because knowing Jesus is the key to our salvation.  If He were a changeable sort we would be in constant turmoil as to who He was and how to know Him.  In Matthew, chapter 7 Jesus described the ways of the world versus the way that leads to life as being “broad” and “narrow” respectively and stated that few would “find” the way to life.   As tragic as that is, even more so is what He says later in the same teaching in that many would come saying that they had prophesied and cast out demons and performed many miracles in the name of Jesus and He would have to declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.”  These are obviously “religious” people who are being turned away from the presence of God, but why?  Because they do not have a relationship with God! 

This should not be a surprise to us since we can read the scriptures from the words of Jesus Himself what is desired of God’s people.  What may surprise you though is that this concept is not a New Testament idea.  God has always desired to have an ongoing relationship with His children.   In Jeremiah 9:23 and following, God speaks through the prophet saying that we should not boast in anything we are or have except for one thing… “That he understands and knows me…”  Today, I fear, we know more “about” God and His Son than actually “knowing them!”  The real tragedy will be when we stand before God and hear the words “depart from Me, I never knew you!”  Do you know Jesus and does He know you?  Begin your journey through the “small gate” down the “narrow path” before it is too late!  Walk with Jesus and begin to know Him today!

Copyright © 2003, Nolan P. Rutter