We Know Jesus

1 John 5:20 We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true – even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
 
LET’S briefly reflect on the statement, “We Know.” In the English language this is called a declarative sentence. It declares – it proclaims, it announces, it affirms – a truth. In this epistle, John has used “we know” to announce 18 truths of Jesus Christ and the church’s identity in him. These are firm truths gained through knowledge and experience. The evidence of Jesus as Savior, Son of God, is without question. John affirms we know the Son of God has come.
   This is a one-sentence summary of John’s gospel. He wrote the gospel to testify to the Word of God made flesh. John states Jesus’ identity in John 1:1-2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. Then he proves Jesus is that eternal Word through the eight witnesses shown throughout his gospel and named in 1 John 5:8-12. This is the evidence John can say we know he Son of God has come and has given us understanding.
    Because we know this, we may know him who is true. When the risen Jesus met John and the other apostles in the Upper Room, Jesus asked them a very important question: “Why do doubts arise in your minds?” (Luke 24:38b) Then he gave them physical evidence of his bodily resurrection. Luke 24:39 “Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have." He then ate some fish to further prove he is really alive. Then Jesus taught t hem: He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures (Luke 24:45). For the first time the apostles understood how Jesus fulfilled the law and the prophets. From that moment, they could day, “We know the Son of God has come.” There were no longer doubts of Jesus’ identity. Their complete faith empowered the apostles to help others know the Son of God has come.
   God has given us the Bible, so the knowledge of Jesus can be secure in our minds. When we know the Scriptures we know: 1) the truth – all mysteries of Jesus are gone when we know who Jesus is. 2) our prejudices and opinions are gone when we believe the Scriptures. 3) as Jesus opened their minds, only God can open our minds fully to himself. Pray for this for your own mind and for others. 4) we must submit completely to the Scriptures.
   Because we may know him who is true, we are in him who is true – even in his Son Jesus Christ. We are the branch connected to the vine (John 15). We are the Savior’s friend. We have a family relationship – brother and sister – to the Christ. We are children of God because we know he is the true God and eternal life.
   Be joyful, be content, be confident in this blessed relationship. Because you know this, may it be the key to your life that unlocks any chains of brokenness, worry, limitations and fear. The Truth has come. And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free. (John 8:32)