Seven-Day Practical Faith Blog: What It's Like to Know Jesus

Ponder with me this profound quote that I've been mulling over. This wisdom comes from the new pope, Pope Leo:

“We are often preoccupied with teaching doctrine. We risk forgetting that our first task is to teach what it means to know Jesus Christ and to bear witness to our closeness to the Lord. This comes first: to communicate the beauty of the faith, the beauty and joy of knowing Jesus. It means that we ourselves are living it and sharing this experience.”

In other words, we spend too much time on theology and rules and not enough time living with Jesus. Time with Jesus should lead to a change in our habits and an ability to communicate life with Jesus.

Even as I spend my working hours in ministry, it's a challenge to tell you exactly what it's like to live with Jesus. The Apostle Paul expressed it this way in Philippians 3:8-10 (NIV).

What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

When I'm at my best with Jesus, other things do seem like garbage. Jesus seems like the pearl of great price, which you acquire by selling off everything else.

But a relationship with Christ can go even deeper than that. Recent Practical Faith Academy guest Cathy Colver Garland talked about how each of us has a deep need for intimacy that says, "I want to know someone, and I want to be known." Who knows us better than Jesus? So, the challenge is to know him as well.

Jesus knows me. We've had our moments. Jesus knows my innermost doubts and fears. Jesus knows when I'm so moved that I can't speak. We even have one shared humorous incident, believe it or not, that stays fresh in our relationship.

How do I know Jesus? Through scripture. Through study. Through prayer. But also through communion, meaning communing with, living with Jesus. Occasionally I hear his voice, but usually I feel his nudging. And yet, I would be a fool to claim that I fully know Jesus. But perhaps I know enough to tell you something about him.

That's what Pope Leo was getting at. How much do we live with and know Jesus? Even if it's not the fullest possible, do we know enough to communicate a bit of the beauty of faith, the joy of being with Jesus?

When we live and share that joyful experience, it will attract others to follow Jesus too. Those who haven't heard of him. Those who don't trust him. Those who proclaim him with their lips but are still working on proclaiming him with their hearts. From our own beautiful experience, we can give them a glimpse of life with Jesus and a desire to live with him too.

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