Read Luke 4:14-30
I Know Jesus, But I Don’t Know Jesus!
After going to Galilee in the power of the Holy Spirit, and having people praising him, Jesus went to Nazareth to teach in their synagogue. Nazareth is where Jesus grew up, so people already KNEW JESUS but they didn’t KNOW JESUS.
The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Jesus and he turned to the part where it says,
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Isaiah 61:1-2.
Then Jesus said to the people, “Today the Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” In essence, he was saying to them that he is the Messiah, the Savior that was prophesied about by Isaiah.
At first, the people spoke well of Jesus, because they knew him. But when they processed what the passage meant, that he is the Messiah, then they began to question Jesus, which eventually led to them becoming furious with him! As a result, they drove Jesus out of town with the intent of throwing him off a cliff. But Jesus walked through the crowd and went on his way.
The people KNEW JESUS, but they didn’t KNOW JESUS. I fear this describes many of our Christians today, that they Know Jesus but they don’t KNOW JESUS!! They know him in their minds meaning they can tell you all kinds of neat stories about Jesus and even talk about him being our Savior. They know him in their minds real well. However, they don’t KNOW HIM in their hearts. The relationship with Jesus has never captivated their heart to the point that they have surrendered their lives to him, wanting to follow him no matter what. They’ve never experienced his transforming power which has changed them so they no longer look like the world because they want to be holy. They’ve never experienced his power through their lives resulting in people seeing a newness in them that captivates others who end up questioning their lives before the Lord. They KNOW JESUS, thus wanting to live it, and even lead others to do the same, starting with family.
Listen, if you look so much like the world who Don’t Know Jesus, perhaps you know Jesus in your mind but you don’t KNOW JESUS in your heart. Where’s the transformation? Where’s the evangelistic heart? Where’s the hunger and thirst for God’s word? Where’s the leadership for others to follow? “I Know Jesus, but I don’t KNOW Jesus.” I pray that you will KNOW HIM to the fullest!
