July 15, 2023

 

Do You Truly Know Jesus

 

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” – John 14:18

 

A woman I knew years ago just lost her father. Her mother passed a year ago. She is reeling with grief and a new reality. Her father is no longer in pain and she is grateful for that. But she is also starkly aware that she is now an orphan.

 

She is not alone. Her husband walks beside her on this journey of grief. Her children strengthen her. But it’s not the same thing. It’s a new season of life.

 

Jesus knew that we would suffer great loss in our earthly lives. He understood that people die, they leave, they break our hearts. But Jesus promised He would never leave us as orphans. Jesus always keeps His promises.

 

In this passage, Jesus explains about the Holy Spirit. I doubt His disciples could fully understand what Jesus meant. How could they? Jesus called Him the “Spirit of Truth.” He went on to say, “The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” (John 14:17)

 

It’s the difference between truly knowing Jesus and knowing about Jesus. Many people know about Jesus. They can answer the questions. Maybe they grew up in church, participating in all the activities, but never truly accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior.

 

This woman will see her parents again. They are with Jesus, as she will be one day. Faith gives us strength to walk through grief. In the years between the here and now and what’s to come, the Holy Spirit will comfort her.

 

Do you know that comfort? Have you surrendered your life – all your todays and tomorrows – to the only One who can save you? Or are you simply going through the motions of faith? Don’t wait to figure it out. Time passes quickly and one day it will be too late.