John 1:29-51 How many times have you called a person, only to receive a taped message? Because of great advancements in the technology of the computer and satellites, we have become a faceless society. At the same time we also have a society in which there is no privacy. Even though my face may not be known to others because I never have face-to-face communication with them, my whole life is known to others. Via the computer and satellite others know all about me—my buying habits, how much money I have in the bank, my age and the number in my family.
This is why I take comfort in our reading for today. In this passage of John, we see how the Lord Jesus knows everything about us. Even though today we do not have face-to-face communication with Him, He sees us and knows us. He even counts the number of hairs on your head. Jesus knows your character, your strengths, your weaknesses and your secret desires. Most importantly, He knows your heart. This passage in John tells us how Jesus knew everything about His disciples before they even met Him. The moment He saw Simon, He called him by name: “Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone” (v. 42, KJV). Then Jesus saw Nathaniel and said, “Behold an Israelite indeed, in which is no guile!” Nathaniel asked Jesus how He knew him, and Jesus said to him, “Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.” Nathaniel responded with this great confession, “Rabbi, thou art the Son of God, thou art the King of Israel” (vv. 47-49, KJV).
What is so exciting about this personal knowledge Jesus has of each one of us is that we can tap into this knowledge daily through prayer. If we will seek Him as we intercede for others, He will tell us many things about those we are praying for, such as the strongholds in their lives that need to be pulled down. We can also daily ask Him to show us ways we can better serve those around us. One of the questions I ask Jesus daily is, “How can I make life easier for my husband, my sons and their wives, and all those I will see today?” He never fails to give me inspiration and instruction about little things I can do that will make their day better. Often my family members will ask me, “How did you know I needed that?” I usually don’t reveal my source of information, but now you know my secret.
Jesus was touched with the feelings of our infirmities (weaknesses), and He was tempted in every way we are tempted, yet He never sinned. Ask Him today to share with you how you can make life easier for those around you.
Lord, show me little things I can do that will help brighten the day for others.
READ: Judges 13:1-14:20; John 1:29-51; Psalm 102:1-28; Proverbs 14:15-16
