Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net
-----Original Message-----
From: Apostle Tom <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Sat, 17 May 2008 15:44:06 -0500
To: <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Subject: Morning Manna (May 18); BP: Phil. 3:10-16; RBTTY: Jn. 6:1-21; I
May 18 “On Knowing Him”
“That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering, being made conformable unto His death.”
Philippians 3:10
It’s life’s “Magnificent Obsession.”
“Knowing Him.”
That’s what Paul wanted. He didn’t want a casual relationship with Christ, where you barely know a person’s name and engage in elevator talk while smiling those plastic smiles; neither did he want a “Don’t call me; I’ll call you” relationship where you only cry out in an hour of need.
No, he wanted to really “know” Jesus.
Really, really know Him.
And, in reality, it’s only when we are “Christ-cravers”—i.e., one who deeply “hungers and thirsts” after Him—that we’ll also know “the power of His resurrection,” which only comes as we willingly enter into “the fellowship of His suffering, being made conformable unto His death.”
One of the saddest things in life is when others refuse to let us get to know them. For whatever reason, they’ve got an “Off-Limits” sign on the door of their heart. And, every attempt to get closer to them meets with stiff-armed resistance or a churlish, bristling response.
That’s why the saddest words anyone will ever hear will be “Depart from Me, you workers of iniquity—I never knew you” (Mt. 7:23). Isn’t that really what Jesus meant when He called Judas the “son of perdition/waste” (Jn. 17:12) and “it’d been better for him if he’d never been born” (Mk. 14:21)?
Yes, it’s incredibly sad when one goes through this life without having ever lived at all. They might have fame and fortune. . .power, prestige, popularity and possessions. . . many houses and lands, etc.; but, if they never entered into that intimate “communion-union” with Christ, it’ll be as if they never lived at all.
When Jesus hanged on the Cross that day and prayed, “Father, forgive them—for they know not what they do” (Lk. 23:34), He really was talking about their not knowing Who He was/is. If they’d known Him—really, really known Him as the sinless Son of God and the long-awaited Messiah—they never would have nailed Him to the Tree.
How well do you know Him, Pilgrim?
When you’re driving down the highway, do you feel Him there in the seat next to you? When you’re walking through the mall or sitting alone on the sofa late at night, do you feel Him brush up against you? When you go out for a quiet walk through the field or down a lonely lane, do You feel Him gently putting His arm around you and holding you close as one good Friend would do another? If so, you’re getting to know Him; if not, do not rest until you do.
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