Is the heart of Jesus sad today because of you? When he spoke to his disciples and told them about his relationship with his heavenly Father, Philip responded by saying, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”
It was then Jesus asked him, “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time” (John 11:9 NIV)?
This question should strike us quite forcefully. Jesus was about to depart and he was giving his farewell address. He had spent nearly 3 ½ years with his disciples. They had listened to his teachings; observed his life of prayer and seen his miracles.
Even then they still were not able to understand that Jesus is the way to God the Father and there is no other way. More than that, they were unable to understand the truth that Jesus is the exact representation of God in human flesh.
In this world there is a constant cry that all religions are the same and like all rivers empty into the ocean all religions lead to the same God. Is it true? At first look, it seems correct; isn’t it? But is it?
The cross where Jesus Christ shed his blood and died simply tells the world there is no other way to God. That is the only answer anyone has provided for the problem of human sin. And the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead proved that Jesus is a Living Saviour who has conquered death for ever! He alone can save. Do you believe this? If so, you know him!
But the knowledge of God should also be a growing knowledge. Each new day you should seek the help of the Spirit of the Living God to help you know more about God. If such a daily growth does not happen; then Jesus will have to ask you the same question he asked Philip, “Don’t you know me even after I have been among you such a long time?”
Finally, you should know that God has a special place for those who know him. The Bible predicts that in the last days when evil will increase, it will be those who know God who will resist evil—“but the people who know their God will firmly resist him” (Daniel 11:32). The evil talked about here is the kind of people and forces who try to exalt themselves above God.
In today’s world when the uniqueness of Jesus Christ is compromised even by churches and when they preach a popular gospel of prosperity—a gospel which has no place for the cross of Christ—the question that Jesus asked, “Don’t you know me?” comes to us with greater force than ever before!