Knowing Jesus

So Jesus proclaimed, as he taught in the temple, "You know me, and you know where I come from. But I have not come of my own accord. He who sent me is true, and him you do not know. I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me."
- John 7:28-29

Jesus addresses the Jerusalemites by declaring that knowing about God is not the same as knowing God. They knew about Jesus -- son of Joseph and Mary, from Nazareth, a carpenter's son, etc. -- but did not know him as the Messiah because they did not know God the Father. Without knowing the Father, they were incapable of knowing the truth and dismissed his teachings, signs, and miracles. 

Do you know Jesus, or do you know about Jesus? Jesus warns against those who merely know about Jesus. 

"'This people honors me with their lips, 
but their heart is far from me;
in vain do they worship me, 
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'" 
- Matthew 15:8-9

Dear Church, to know Jesus is to have a relationship with Him, and it begins with acknowledging Jesus as Lord and Savior and submitting your life for His cause. What do you need to surrender to know Jesus more today? Surrender to Jesus and turn away from trusting your intuition and understanding. In times of uncertainty and doubt, may God give you the courage and faith to trust in Him and His way.