This devotion was written by Erika Patterson.
Do I know Jesus? I mean, do I REALLY know Him?
Recently, I read a verse that I’ve read a hundred times, but this time the verse felt fresh, like it carried new meaning for me:
Jesus replied, ‘If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” – John 4:10
I’m sure many of you are familiar with this story. Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well, engaged her in conversation, and offered her the gift of Himself – living water. In the past, I read through this story rather quickly thinking, “Oh those silly Samaritans. They didn’t know Jesus. And what a crazy woman – 5 husbands! Good thing I’m nothing like her.” But something new struck me this time. Jesus said, “if you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to.” Do I REALLY know the gift God has given me? Do I REALLY know who I’m speaking to when I pray? Do I really know the God that I say I love and trust?
In the book Life on Mission, author Aaron Coe writes,
“We, who were convicted of treason against the King of the universe, are by grace not only forgiven but also invited into His family … and bid to spread the message of hope to other traitors. The fact that many Christians do not respond to that invitation reveals that many do not comprehend how good the Good News of Jesus really is.”
We are all sinners in need of a Savior. None of us were born saved. None of us were born “good enough.” We all need Jesus. And just like the Samaritan woman, I need to recognize the gift that God has given me – grace, forgiveness, adoption into His Kingdom. I need to know Him. In His matchless love and mercy, God died for me – a traitor, an enemy – living in open rebellion to Him and His righteousness. He loved me and He died for me. Amazing grace.
So, how do I REALLY know Him? I’ve been a Christian for 27 years, but if I’m not seeking His heart, and seeking His face EVERYDAY, then I’m never going to know Him.
A dear friend used to tell me, “I preach the Gospel to myself everyday.” What a difference that statement has made in my own life, to remind myself daily that I need a Savior and that the Gospel that I first heard 27 years ago is still the most important message I’ve ever heard. It’s not just the old, old Story. It’s the most beautiful love story that has ever been written. It is the ultimate story of God reaching down from heaven to save his creation. That is the gift God has given to us, and that is the heart of the Savior who wants us to know Him more each day. Don’t miss Him. Seek His face. Seek His heart.
How we might all be changed if we really knew Him!
