This question is often asked by people in the religious world, by members of the church and by denominational people as well, as a means of opening an evangelistic conversation. The question and the usual emphasis on the word “my,” implies two things.
- First, that the person asking the question believes he has a personal relationship with Jesus.
- Second, that he has a concept of who Jesus is to him. If this question were posed to me by a complete stranger, I would quite probably answer with something like, “That depends upon who your Jesus is?” I would want to know if his Jesus and my Jesus were one and the same.
Who Is Jesus?
There are many ideas floating around the religious world on just who Jesus really is. Secularists and Jews believe that Jesus was a real historical Jewish man and that he was a great religious reformer, who said some really good things that all men ought to pay attention to. Yet, they scoff at the idea that he was the son of God and furthermore they say that his teachings, though good, were not really all that original and that he borrowed most of them from teachings of the Rabbis.
Some others say that Jesus is the “son” of God, but not really God in the flesh, meaning that he is the offspring of God, but not deity. Still others say that Jesus is the “word” of God – a lesser “god.” This is the Jehovah Witness view of Jesus. The Bible “translation” used by the Jehovah’s Witnesses is the New World Translation. In that translation the perversion of scriptures renders John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a God.” (emphasis mine). Another case of if the Bible contradicts what we believe, it must be wrong – so change it.
Most people in Christendom correctly see Jesus as the second person of the Godhead – the literal Word made flesh, but fail to recognize His authority. They believe He was made flesh, lived a perfect life and died upon the cross for the sin of man. Despite this, they refuse to believe that obedience to His word is necessary. Finally, most men and women, sadly not all, men and women in the church of Christ recognize that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died for our sins and that we MUST obey Him in order to be saved.
The question, “Do you know the Jesus?” would be more appropriate.
The question, “Do you know my Jesus?” or the question, “Do you know the Jesus?” are in reality, both valid questions to ask someone. These questions have the possibility of sparking a conversation that could lead to a Bible study, or invitation to a gospel meeting or worship service. However, is this the best question to ask someone?
Would it not be better to turn the question around and ask, “Does Jesus know you?” That is more important. Having the right concept of who Jesus is is not enough.
We must act upon that knowledge, doing the will of the Father in Heaven. Just knowing who Jesus is and believing that He died to take away your sins will not, in and of itself, save you. You must obey the will of the Father, as expressed to us through the Word of Christ – the New Testament. Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23,
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
“Does Jesus know you?” truly is the important question. If you have done and are doing the will of God, then Jesus knows who you are and will in the last day say unto you,
“Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” — Matthew 25:21
By: Jack W. McNiel, Evangelist
