Do They Know Me?

When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 16:13-17 NKJV)

During Christ’s ministry, many people questioned who Jesus was. When Jesus taught in the synagogue, in his hometown, they could not comprehend that a carpenters son could have such wisdom about the things of God (Mark 6:3). The Pharisees, who were the most knowledgeable about the scriptures, had no understanding of Jesus. In fact, their religion blinded them to what God had promised. They had preconceived notions about the Savior, and it hindered seeing the truth when it was right in front of them.

More than two thousand years later, even with the Bible and different religious movements spreading Christianity, there are two billion Muslims and over one billion Hindus in n the world. Roughly 34 percent of Americans don’t attend church. In a recent conversation with someone, they voiced that they had a difficult time understanding a God who allows so much sickness and death into the world. I know this person has never read the Bible. Experiences with church have been limited. Knowledge of God is based upon a very limited perspective.

This is why the Great Commission is part of the calling of every born again believers. Because even if someone attends church, we can not assume they know Jesus as their Savior. I was raised in a Catholic Church, and not everything I was taught about God helped me see the depth of His love. It wasn’t until I learned about God’s grace that I began to see the Father differently.

Once we become a part of the family of God, we have an obligation to show everyone we meet how God’s love transformed our lives. When we meet people, we need to ask, “Do they know Him? Do they know Jesus?” We had someone talk to us about the love of God. We have a person or many people to thank for helping us understand how salvation can change lives. I want to be able to help someone else find the one thing that makes us all whole. I want them to know Jesus.  Amen.