Do You Know Him?

“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me! “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her”  Lk.10:38-42

When twelve-year-old Jesus was confronted by His parents for remaining behind at the temple when they had begun their journey home, Jesus famously responded “did not you know that I must be about my Father’s business” (Lk. 2:49 KJV). As a faithful Son in His Father’s house, Jesus at that young age already understood a truth that He would later teach His disciples. That truth being that He must “do the works of Him who sent me” (Jn.9:4).  This was the Father’s will for His life, just as it is the Father’s will for all of His sons and daughters.

We too have a calling to be about our Father’s business. That business includes spreading the gospel to the world about us, praying for the sick, ministering to the hurting, building ourselves up in His Word and Spirit, casting out demons, and just generally giving ourselves as workmen in His kingdom.  However, like Jesus revealed to Martha, there is something more important than works, and Mary displayed for not only Martha and the disciples, but for all of us who hear Jesus’ words, just what that priority is.

Jesus taught His disciples that essential priority when He said “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and then all these things will be added unto you” (Lk. 12:31). To seek the kingdom must always begin with seeking the King.  There is no kingdom without a King!  Herein lies the priority that all His children should pursue, to know the King.  Jesus even taught that all eternal life is even tied up in this simple priority saying “this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (Jn17:3). 

Before we strive to “do the works” of casting out demons, preaching the gospel, and building our ministries and outreaches, we must prioritize our own familiarity with the Lord through fellowship, communion, and prayer.  Daniel said that it is “the people who know their God who will stand strong in the end” (Dan.11:32). This should be the goal of every sincere believer, to “know their God”. 

The Lord desires your fellowship above your servanthood. Now this does not mean that He does not desire your servanthood, but that He wants that servanthood to flow out of your fellowship with Him. Does not Jesus say that when we “seek first the kingdom (the King)” that “all the other things will be added unto us”.  He is saying that the blessings and the good works in your life will flow powerfully out of your fellowship with Him.  The more you draw closer to Him, the more those works such as the ministry of the gospel message, the casting out of demons, the healing of the sick, and all these “things” will become manifest in your life. In the midst of all his knowledge and devotion obtained as a pharisee, Paul boldly proclaimed this priority in his own life saying “I want to know Christ” (Php 3:10).

One day I asked a young man who I was witnessing to “do you know God?” That simple statement led us to an active and edifying conversation where he eventually asked Jesus into his heart. He did this because he recognized he knew “about” the Lord, but did not have a personal knowledge of Him, a knowledge built upon fellowship, communion, and prayer. Have you asked yourself “do I know God?”.  To the religious company who recite to Him all their good works, Jesus replied “depart from me, for I never knew you”.  He was saying they had done the works associated with His kingdom, but had never taken the time to develop a personal relationship with the King.

  Have you prioritized the “better thing” and set aside time to set at His feet as Mary did? Do you “know His voice” as Jesus says His sheep do? (Jn. 10:27) Ask yourself honestly, Do you know Him?