Does. He. Know. You?

 That really is the question we should be asking. 

 I am familiar with that ‘go to’ line of asking others: “Do you know Jesus?” But I would contend that the more important question is...’Does He know You?’ 

 It sounds like a rhetorical question on the surface, meaning it really not need be answered directly because we would assume the answer is ‘Yes’, since God knows everything and everyone. 

 Yet, twice in the NT, Jesus addresses this point in a very sobering manner. Both are recorded in the gospel of Matthew. 

 Towards the end of His ‘Sermon on the Mount’ recorded in chapters 5,6, & 7, He is nearing the end, wrapping up his message with some serious pointers. He makes it known that this ‘path’ that leads to eternal life is not a very wide one. He indicates that not many will walk this path, especially when you compare it with that ‘broad way’ that the majority of people will be on; a well-traveled road that leads to an apparent ‘wide gate’ ending in ‘destruction’. His words, not mine. (Matt. 7:13-14) 

 One might question why so many would be on a path that ends in destruction. We humans, by nature,  find comfort in numbers, and majorities. I mean, all those people could not be wrong, right? Some folks refer to it as ‘heard mentality’. But there was a reason as to why God compares us humans to sheep. 

 But that distinction between the two paths feeds right in to His next lesson on false teachers and prophets. If Jesus uses the word ‘Beware’, He probably has good reason for doing so. (15). This is the paragraph where He explains how there will be teachers coming with the outward appearance of being sheep, but inwardly are ‘ravenous wolves’. (15). I don’t think He means those four-footed dog-like creatures either. Then, as if not overly concerned by them, He informs us how to spot them as if it would be apparent: ‘by their fruit’. (16) 

 I would not rush through that paragraph either given another somber warning presented to us as to what happens to ‘trees’ that don’t bear the good kind of fruit God expects to find in all of us. (19)  Fruit matters.

 Then He ‘goes there’. Probably one of the most unsettling warnings ever issued by Jesus that we have recorded in the gospels. Jesus states: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” (21) 

 If that does not stop you in your tracks, I really can’t imagine what verse would. We are then informed by Him in the next breath: “Many...will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” (22) 

 It sounds obvious to me that there will be (or are already) plenty of folks who are convinced that there is a ‘seat at the table’ awaiting them in heaven, not to mention one of those ‘mansions’ we’ve always heard and sung about. And my goodness, have they not been busy working diligently for the kingdom of God doing all kinds of wonderful works for God; and ‘in His Name’ to underscore the fact they felt pretty secure that all was well with their soul. 

 Then comes the chilling response by Jesus: “I will declare to them: ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness (sin)!” (23) 

 The sequence of wording and illustrations here should not go unnoticed by any student of the bible. In His final message or point of warning, He leaves us with this comparison of a ‘wise man’ and a ‘foolish man’. Both...’heard’ the sayings or the word of God. Sounds like people who call themselves believers and go to church and/or read their bibles, yes? 

 The one who not only heard the sayings but ‘did them’ is likened to a ‘wise man’ who built his house on a rock foundation. 

 The one who heard the sayings but for whatever reasons, failed to act upon what he heard, was likened to a ‘foolish man’ who built his home on a sandy or unstable foundation. 

 Both homes were subject to the same storm and ‘flood’.(27). 

 One house stood firm, the other was destroyed completely. 

 End of sermon. (Jesus’s, that is, not mine) 

 Notice the flow of comparisons He uses...wide path-narrow path; broad gate-narrow gate; good fruit-bad fruit’; wise man-foolish man’. Pretty simply laid out there it seems to me. 

 But let’s go back to that one line that ‘many’ will hear on that day: “I...Never...Knew...You!” 

 That is not the only place where Jesus makes reference to that chilling indictment. You probably have heard the parable of the Ten virgins recorded there in Matt. 25. This is often interpreted to be a ‘type’ or a ‘picture’ of the church. Again, we see a comparison laid out for us describing half of these virgins being ‘wise’ and the remaining five being ‘foolish’. (2). 

 It is safe to say that this message is being directed not to all those ‘unsaved heathen’ out there in the world; rather it is aimed at those who are supposedly ‘hearing’ the word of God given those in the church should be students of His word. You can review the passage on your own there in your bible but let’s fast-forward to the frightening scenario that unfolds towards the end of the story in vs. 10-11.  The wise virgins had plenty of oil to light their lamps to finish preparing for the returning bridegroom, and at midnight, he came and ‘those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut’. 

 The foolish virgins, who were lacking oil to illuminate their lamps (the word) went scrambling to find some. But it was too late. We are told that afterward, they came saying...”Lord, Lord...open the door for us.” (11) 

 And the response they got, was again...that chilling line of: “I do not know you.” (12) 

 So maybe you also would agree with my opening point regarding the more important question that needs to be asked: “Does He know us?” 

 And how can we know? Well, Jesus offered this up in John 10:27: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” 

 There you go. The ones He says He knows...are not just ‘hearers’ of the word, but they apparently respond in obedience. Sounds like a theme we see stressed throughout scripture. (John 2:5; Luke 6:46; Hebrews 5:9). Those are the ‘sheep’ who cannot be plucked from the Father’s hand. (John 10:29) 

 There is a spiritual storm brewing and a rising flood of darkness is upon us that will not be turned back. God is calling those ‘who have ears to hear’ to come and abide in Him. He has provided a shelter, a place of rest, the ark of His presence. (Ps. 91; Matt. 23:37). 

 When God was establishing His covenant with Moses and the Israelites in the wilderness, after delivering them from the bondage of slavery in Egypt, He met with Moses at Sinai. We are invited in to hear the conversation Moses had with God and we can hear the heart of Moses as he responds to the Lord: 

 “You say to me, ‘Bring up this people.’ But you have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found grace in My sight.” Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now, Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people.’ 

 And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” 

 Then he (Moses) said to Him, “If Your presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here...so the Lord said to Moses...you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name “ 

 You might want to spend time yourself reading that entire exchange in Exodus 33:12-18) 

 When did God change? He still invites us to ‘come to Him’...promising us true rest. (Matt. 11:28). Coming to Him though, with your whole heart...is mandatory. IF and when you do, you will...hear and know His voice. And His presence will be that peace and joy and freedom that will reign in your heart and lead and guide you. But that comes on the heels of genuine godly repentance. (Acts 3:19). 

 If you don’t...choose to come to Him on His terms...then the floods that are coming and here already...will carry you away...and you will perish. (Luke 13:1-5) 

 Does He know you?