Have you ever heard of Jesus Christ? Some might call that a foolish question. It would be difficult if not impossible to have lived in the world for the last 2,000 years and not know that name.

Here’s another question: how well do you know Jesus Christ? Some people would immediately dismiss the question as absurd. Many insist they do. As to how well they know him is another question.

Do you think his disciples in 30 A.D. knew him? One might think they most certainly would have. Would it surprise you to find they didn’t know him well at all?

Just before Jesus’ trial and crucifixion, Jesus told his disciples, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me,” (John 14:6). To this statement, Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father.” Jesus looked at his disciple and told him that for all of the time he spent with Philip, “you have not known me.”

Yes. Many people think they know Jesus but, like Philip, they don’t know him very well at all. Even those who consider themselves his disciples don’t know him. They think they do but then they obey the false religions created by men. They refuse to obey Jesus’ word and yet they still think they know him.

Jesus told Philip, “Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you, I do not speak on my own initiative, but the Father residing in me performs his miraculous deeds” (John 14:10). Jesus told Philip that if he didn’t believe him, he should believe the miraculous works Jesus had done.

This weakness of faith was something all of the disciples of Jesus shared. When the Lord was arrested by the Jews the disciples ran away (Mark 14:50).

So, do you know Jesus? If not, you should get to know him by studying the Bible. It will help give you the faith you need to obey the gospel and live your life dedicated to him. Why not obey him now?

John Henson