Knowing Jesus

Philippians 3:10-11That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
 
IT is a wonderful thing to know someone loves you, isn’t it? When you know someone loves you, you live with an emotional security to trust that person. You are certain the one who loves you will be with you in all circumstances.
    For about 35 years Paul had been getting to know Jesus. Jesus came powerfully to Paul one day (Acts 9) to disrupt Paul’s life. Jesus’ resurrection power changed Paul from a man of worldly power and prestige into a man who was impoverished and persecuted for the Lord Jesus. Through many trials of physical, spiritual and emotional distress, Paul grew to know Jesus was always with him. Jesus saved Paul from being dead in sin, an object of wrath (See Ephesians 2.) to live in Christ and minister the gospel. Through many experiences, Paul came to know Jesus would give him enough food to eat and clothes to cover his nakedness. He would know, too, that Jesus would insert His church into an evil culture of idolatry and devil worship to proclaim victory for the Kingdom of God.
    After these “knowing” experiences, what did Paul want? He longed to know and trust even more deeply the Holy Spirit’s power that raised Jesus from the tomb. He hungered to attain that knowledge even if he had to suffer more, for it is suffering that helped him experience life as Jesus did.
    Why is Paul so passionate to know Jesus even more deeply? Paul can’t get enough of Jesus, that’s why. He loves Jesus with his heart, mind and soul. And there’s one more thing Paul knows. He knows that even in physical death, there really is no death because Jesus will be with him forever.
 
Joy Link: You know Jesus is with you always.