Jesus Knows Us... All of Us

Have you ever stopped to consider how intimately God knows you? Not just your actions or your words, but the deepest desires and hidden corners of your heart? This isn't just a comforting thought; it's a foundational truth of our faith, one that shapes everything from how we approach belief to how we truly follow Jesus. In a world that often tells us to "follow our hearts," scripture presents a radically different, yet profoundly liberating, perspective.

Today, we're going to explore this powerful truth: Jesus Christ knows our hearts completely. He sees beyond superficial appearances, understanding our true motivations and the very "soil" of our faith. This knowledge isn't meant to condemn us, but to call us to a deeper, more authentic relationship with Him—one that requires us to deny our flesh and embrace His path, finding true rest and joy along the way. Let's dig into the Scriptures to uncover what it means for the Lord to truly know what is in humanity, and how that knowledge invites us to a life of faithful obedience.

“While he was in Jerusalem during the Passover Festival, many believed in his name when they saw the signs he was doing. Jesus, however, would not entrust himself to them, since he knew them all and because he did not need anyone to testify about man; for he himself knew what was in man.”  - John 2:23-25 (CSB)

• (V23) Many believed. The Greek word translated for “believed” here truly means to fully commit one's trust. These folks did this. They committed themselves to Christ in the flesh, as a prophet, but not as part of the Trinity—God as the Son and Messiah. These people believed in Christ for superficial reasons, and Christ knew that.

• (V24) Christ did not entrust himself to these people. He knew the soil into which this seed was sown. This soil was rocky. Their faith sprang up quickly, but as soon as the sun shone down and the water didn't soak in, weeds thrived in that environment. Guess what happened to that superficial faith? It was scorched by the sun, and then the weeds came up to choke out the young plant. Faith in Christ cannot be superficial. For you to grow in Christ and experience abundant joy and knowledge, you must be connected on a deeper level than just superficially.

• (V25) Christ did not need anyone to tell Him about humanity. He knew what was in their hearts. They would no more commit themselves to Him than they would to "man on the moon" (a hyperbolic phrase suggesting extreme unlikelihood).

“The heart is more deceitful than anything else, and incurable - who can understand it? I, the LORD, examine the mind, I test the heart to give to each according to his way, according to what his actions deserve.” -Jeremiah 17:9-10 (CSB)

But Brother Jesse, didn't Jesus say to follow your heart? As a matter of fact, Jesus says the opposite:

“Calling to the crowd along with His disciples, He said to them, ‘If anyone wants to follow me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.’” -Mark 8:34 (CSB)

Jesus doesn’t want us to follow our hearts. We've seen where God spoke to Jeremiah about what our heart truly is. Then we hear Jesus say this from Mark 8, “deny himself.” Deny the flesh, that prison that keeps you in shame and misery. It takes work, and that work can be hard, tough to deal with, and heavy to carry at times. But Jesus tells us:

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” -Matthew 11:28-30 (CSB)

Jesus knows our heart. He wants us to deny our flesh and follow Him, cross on our backs. If you have that cross on you, I sure hope that you are prepared for it to get heavy at times. We don’t have the ability to understand all of God’s ways or His divine design. So sometimes that faith is tested and stretched. If you cling to the old rugged cross, one day you will exchange it for a crown. How true is that?

So, God knows our heart; He knows who we are. Do we know who God is? Do we truly understand the heart of the Father? Do we honestly know that the blood is applied to your name in that Book of Life? Jesus didn’t die on a cross and rise again to see you suffer. Struggle, yes, but not suffer. Don’t suffer with your heart any longer. Turn over a new leaf in life and try Him out. Don’t just try Him, take Him. Take Him at His word. That word is true.

I don’t know where your walk stands, but, church, I can stand before you and testify: Life gets way brighter when you walk God’s path for you. No more fleshly, childish things of the world, as Paul says. Stand up and walk with God. He makes all things possible—but only if you are walking in His way and His will. God doesn’t reward disobedience, but He does openly reward faithful obedience!