Scripture:
John 1
Vs 1 … the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Vs 2 He was in the beginning with God.
Vs 10 … yet the world did not know him.
Vs 18 … God… has made him known.
Vs 31 (John the Baptist said), “I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.”
Vs 48 Nathanael said to Jesus, “How do you know me?”
Observation:
John wants his readers to know God.
Even more importantly, John wants us to know that God, Himself, wants us to know Him.
Jesus has always been, but the world did not know Him even when He came into the world.
John the Baptist fulfilled a role in helping to make Jesus known.
Even when the world does not know Jesus, Jesus knows the world.
Nathaniel was shocked when Jesus acknowledged him personally.
Application:
I can know God by knowing Jesus.
I can also help reveal God to others by sharing Jesus with them.
Understanding that God wants us to know Him is a breakthrough to me understanding the character of God.
God does not want to be hidden. God wants relationship with me.
Jesus came and “dwelt in the world”. He did not need to do this.
He could have come to the world for a day, been crucified, and rose.
He could have saved the world in a moment. But He chose to live among us for 33 years.
He was flesh. God wants to be known … by me.
I cannot get over how incredible this is. God wants me to know Him.
And, just as incredible, God knows me.
I can understand the shock of Nathaniel’s question, “How did you know me?”
But I can’t have the same shock today. This, again, reveals the character of who God is.
God wants relationship … a loving, caring relationship.
And if I have this understanding of who God is, how could I not want to reveal Him to others?
As privileged as John the Baptist was, I now share this same privilege!
I am known by God, and I know God, and I can make Him known.
Prayer:
Thank you, God, again for your Word.
Thank you for becoming flesh and dwelling with us.
Help me to know you more.
Help me see opportunities to make you known
In Jesus name
Amen