Understanding What It Means to Know Jesus
Knowing Jesus isn’t just about learning facts or reading stories—it’s about having a real, close relationship with him. The Bible uses pictures and comparisons to help us understand what knowing God and Jesus is like.
Pictures the Bible Uses
The Bible explains our relationship with God by comparing it to four things:
· A child knowing their parent
· A wife knowing her husband
· A subject knowing their king
· A sheep knowing its shepherd
All these pictures show that God cares for us. He looks after us. We can trust him, just like a child trusts a parent or a sheep trusts its shepherd.
We Know God by Knowing Jesus
The Bible teaches that the only way we can truly know God is by knowing Jesus. Jesus is God, who came to earth as a human. He said, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” and “No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:9, 6). That means, if we want to know what God is like, we just have to look at Jesus.
How Did People Know Jesus?
When Jesus lived on earth, his disciples were his close followers. They got to know him like you get to know a friend. They respected him as a leader. They were regular people, but Jesus invited them to follow him, learn from him, and help him share God’s message. They realized he was special—the Son of God sent to save people. Knowing Jesus changed their lives completely.
How Can We Know Jesus Today?
Jesus isn’t with us in body anymore. Yet, the Bible says he is alive. He is with us in a spiritual way. Anyone, anywhere, can have a friendship with Jesus, just like the disciples did long ago. Here’s what’s different now:
· We can’t see Jesus with our eyes, but he is still with us by his Spirit.
· We can read in the Bible about who Jesus is. We can also read about what he taught. We can trust those words.
· Jesus speaks to our hearts, helping us understand and believe his words.
Knowing Jesus today means pursuing him. It involves listening to what he says in the Bible. We must trust his promises. It also requires answering his call.
What Does Jesus Promise?
Jesus says, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). He promises to give us everlasting life, take care of us, and never let us go. If we trust him, he saves us from all the bad things—sin, guilt, and even death.
Knowing God Is Personal
Knowing God is much more than just knowing about God. It’s a real relationship, like having a close friend. It means talking to God, listening to him, and letting him care for you. You don’t have to be super smart or go to school for it. Anyone who trusts God and follows Jesus can know him deeply. Sometimes people who haven’t studied a lot feel closer to God. This is unlike those who know a lot but don’t really trust him.
Knowing God Involves Our Whole Self
Knowing God isn’t just about thinking—it also includes our feelings and choices. To really know someone, you have to spend time with them and care about what they care about. The same is true with God. We feel joy when God is honored, and we feel sad when people ignore him. When God forgives us and shows us his love, it brings happiness that’s hard to describe.
Knowing God Is a Gift
We don’t become God’s friends by our own effort; God makes the first move. He chooses to love us and reach out to us, even when we don’t deserve it. The Bible says God knows us first, and because of that, we get to know him. His love gives us this relationship.
Conclusion
Knowing Jesus is about having a real friendship with him—trusting, loving, and pursuing him. It’s not just about facts, but about letting Jesus lead you, guide you, and care for you every day. Anyone can know Jesus and experience his love, care, and promises—now and forever.
Minister A Francine Green
September 2025
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