… the knowledge of the Son of God
Summary: Paul’s word for “knowledge” leads us to a deeper understanding of what it means to know Christ and how that affects us.
Now here is an interesting thought! Paul tells us:
“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God …” (Ephesians 4: 11-13b)
The job of the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers is to help the rest of us reach unity in the knowledge of the Son of God.
Doesn’t that sound wonderful?
Imagine all of us achieving unity in the knowledge of the Son of God! What would that be like? What is the “knowledge of the Son of God” that Paul mentions anyway?
The kind of knowledge Paul refers to is found in the Greek word he used, “epígnōsis.” It means to recognize, to discern, and to acknowledge.
Would you recognize Jesus if you saw him?
Two men who knew Jesus personally were walking together shortly after Jesus was crucified. (See Luke 24:13-35) As they walked together, they talked about Jesus and what had happened to him. Then, “Jesus himself came up and walked along with them.” (Ibid, v15)
Luke’s account says that they were “kept from recognizing him.” We don’t know why or how that happened. I imagine that having seen Jesus crucified, they didn’t expect to see him alive and well. If they had been equipped to recognize him, they would have been prepared.
At some level, even though they did not recognize Jesus, they were able to discern who he was. After they had recognized him and Jesus disappeared from their sight, they said, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (Ibid v32) Spiritual discernment is paying attention to the subtle signs that are given internally.
When they finally recognized Jesus as he broke bread with them, they were quick to acknowledge him. As soon as they realized it was Jesus who had been with them, they raced to tell the Eleven disciples and those with them, “The Lord has risen …[!]” (Ibid v34)
To know the Son of God is to be able to recognize him, discern his Spirit, and be willing to acknowledge him. The better equipped we are to do these things, the more unity we will experience in the body of Christ.
Application: Get to know Jesus personally.
Food for Thought: Would having Jesus appear to you in the flesh change how you behave? Why?
Q: Would having Jesus appear to you in the flesh change how you behave? Why?
A: I’m not sure. I always hope my behavior will be better and I know God has started a work in me. However, I think back to all the miracles performed in the wilderness and how the Jews were afraid to enter the promised land. I wonder if I saw Jesus in the flesh if my earthly desires/thoughts would just vanish. My hope is that I would be so focused on him that I wouldn’t be distracted by the cares of this world.
Probably not…unless I was filled with the Holy Spirit. Even Peter, after walking with Jesus in the flesh still denied him. I don’t think I would be able to suddenly change unless his grace and mercy allowed that to happen.
James,
Thank you! Great answer! God has indeed started a work in you and in me and all who believe. And you are right, as long as we are in the flesh, our earthly desires and thoughts do not vanish. I share your hope that we become so focused on Jesus nothing else matters.
Would having Jesus appear to you in the flesh change how you behave? Why?
Do you remember those commercials from the 90s sellings cars? “Zero (MPH) to 60 (MPH) in 5 seconds.” I used to wonder to myself “where would any average person have the opportunity to do that and to what purpose?” My heart would like to believe that if I saw Jesus in the flesh, that my walk would go from my current place to something much greater in the span of a second. But thats me looking at the encounter and not the purpose. I reckon the real question is, like you asked, why would it change my behavior?
I have prayed to Jesus and witnessed His workings in my life. Unmistakable workings. I recognize Him in others of greater faith. Is that not Jesus in the flesh? I suppose it comes down to how much value one places on the physical verses the spiritual. The disciples witnessed Jesus casting out demons, healing peoples bodies and their hearts, but still had doubts about who He was/is. His appearance really cemented who He was/is to them. His appearance came with a greater purpose. He appeared to them gently, not a God of wrath, coming to condemn them for scattering during His crucifixion, but to show them that His Word is true, that He and the Father (They are One) are a God of love and grace. He prepared them for greater works in the Spirit. If we believe His Word is true, why does that not change our behavior?
In our imagined encounter with Jesus in the flesh, we might visualize the effect His appearance has on us, but what do we imagine He would say to us? Some greater reveal? Some deeper understanding? He wants to give us that now. Or is it the image of Jesus wagging His finger at us? A sense of shame in knowing that He wants more from us? Uh oh, Jesus is here, better tighted up my laces.
Jesus is here, now. The opportunity to change is here, now. The best we could do to change is temporary. The change Jesus could bring is eternal. That change won’t come from our eyes, but in our hearts. That change comes from recognizing truth. Truth comes from God.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Ezekiel 36:26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
Thank you, Chris.
You are absolutely right, Jesus is here now. So is the opportunity to change.
To use your example of the ad for a fast car, if I don’t believe the ad, I would ignore it. If I believed in the speed and I wanted it, I would drop what I was doing and focus getting that car.
06-27-2023, Would having Jesus appear to you in the flesh change how you behave? Why?
In the Bible we see God has always used imperfect people to do His work: Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jonah, David, Peter, Paul. All lived by faith and in varying degrees submitted to God, allowing Him to make Himself known, and minister to His people through them. Today we live, seek to walk by faith in Christ as He is revealed by the Holy Spirit of God. We are all imperfect beings seeking to serve our perfect God.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.
I am aware of this truth by the conviction of the Holy Spirit as He daily works through me. For Jesus to appear to me in the flesh, knowing He knows, in detail, who and what I am, would drive me to my knees, flat on my face as I am not worthy of standing in His presence. At the same time I would have the greatest joy of my life, knowing He has made me worthy and to at last be in final phase of my sanctification by God which will lead to my eternal relationship, dwelling in His Holiness, serving Him, free from all sin forever.
Well said brother
Ron,
Beautifully said!
Your description of falling down before Jesus reminds me of Peter in Luke 5:8. The “greatest joy” is a wonderful description of embracing our Creator. Thank you!
Thanks for the devotion. I agree with James and CH and I appreciate their responses.
On a different thought – if Jesus were in the room with us, physically present, would we be as likely to willfully sin right in front of Him? I think we would not. Our behavior would change because Jesus is in the room. In reality, He is in the room even when we don’t see Him. So it is a good rule of thumb to live with the realization that Jesus is always in the room. Hebrews 4: 13
Rich,
You point us to a very important truth:
“ Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:13)
He is already here! 🙂