By Avanelle Benoit-Gray
We know people in different ways. Sometimes we know them based only on what we heard about them. Whether it’s through the media, academics or a friend. This is what happened with the Queen of Sheba. She heard about Solomon before actually meeting him.
1 Kings 10:6 "…It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. However, I did not believe the words until I came and saw with my own eyes."
Hearsay isn’t always accurate. It doesn’t truly grasp who the person really is. If we "know" Jesus only through the words of others, He will only be to us a historical figure or a biblical superstar.
Another way we know people is through an actual encounter. We briefly experience who they are after meeting them at some point or the other.
After meeting Solomon the Queen of Sheba said, “indeed the half was not told. Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame of which I heard.”
Actual encounters are much better than the words of others, they help us see for ourselves who people truly are. The problem is however, that we are human and we forget.
The Israelites witnessed one of the greatest encounters ever recorded.
Exodus 14:21 "Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided."
They got to see the power of God at work. No movie could capture their full experience. It was an encounter of encounters.
A few moments later…
Exodus 32:8 "How quickly they have turned away from the way I commanded them to live! They have melted down gold and made a calf, and they have bowed down and sacrificed to it. They are saying, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.’”
The impact of their encounter was short-lived. They gave credit for their deliverance to an idol. If we "know" Jesus only based on an encounter we frame Him into a memory. The Jesus who comforted us when we were sad. The Jesus who helped us be successful in our exams. It’s nice that we got to see Him at work but there is an even deeper way to know someone, through relationship.
The people we really, really know are the ones we are close to. The ones we live and connect with. Day-in, day-out. The ones we talk with all the time. The ones we see almost every day. The ones whose sentences we can finish. The ones whose attributes we can describe. The ones whose reactions we can predict.
Can we get this close to Jesus? Yes!
Ephesian 2:13 '"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought
near by the blood of Christ."
We don’t have to rely on the words of others.
We have access to Him beyond just an encounter.
We can know Him more deeply because of salvation.
Thank You for the cross Lord.
Thank You for the price You paid.
We can approach Him as Father,
worship Him as King,
talk with Him as Friend, and
serve Him as Lord.
Let’s not neglect the opportunity we have to know Him this way.
Spend time learning about Him by reading His word.
Nurture your relationship with Him through prayer and worship.
There is no gap, we can truly know Jesus.
Philippians 3:8 "I count everything as loss compared to the priceless privilege and supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord [and of growing more deeply and thoroughly acquainted with Him—a joy unequaled]."
By Avanelle Benoit-Gray
Avanelle Benoit-Gray is a bible lover and Christ follower. She believes that her purpose here on earth is to bless, inspire and comfort. Avanelle strives towards fulfilling this mission is in her life as a wife, mother, sister, medical doctor and friend.
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