Jesus is Essential
John 7:28–31: Then Jesus cried out, as He taught in the temple, saying, “You both know Me, and you know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know. But I know Him, for I am from Him, and He sent Me.” Therefore they sought to take Him; but no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come. And many of the people believed in Him, and said, “When the Christ comes, will He do more signs than these which this Man has done?”
Once again Jesus answered rumors with direct proclamation. The origin of Messiah left most people in confusion, but that origin also linked him with God. In effect, Jesus’ response to their confusion was three simple statements: (1) You know me in terms of my physical presence on earth; (2) but I really came from the Father and you do not know that because you do not know him; and (3) nevertheless, I know him because he sent me to earth.
So all this knowledge was no knowledge at all. John may have intended a deliberate irony in the way he recorded this passage. Since the Jews did not accept Jesus’ divine mission, they did not accept the one who sent him. 1
Walking with Jesus
Many people know of Jesus, but only a few people really know Jesus. You can not know Jesus apart from His Word. How much time do you dedicate to social media, and how much time do you devote to the studying of His Word?
You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. John 5:39–40
The revelation of Jesus is based on His Word, and not the words of others.
Praying
Lord, thank You for making Yourself known to all those who seek You.
1. Gangel, K. O. (2000). John (Vol. 4). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
