Do You Know My Jesus?

“Do You Know My Jesus?”
Matthew 26:69-75

Introduction

  • We are now at the last of the Christmas season and my favorite time of the year. I look at people and ask… “Do you know my Jesus?”
  • While the world has filled themselves with eggnog, mistletoe, Christmas trees, decorating, buying presents, and some may have went caroling.
  • Have you ever stopped to wonder “Do they know my Jesus?”
  • How many people sing Christmas carols without knowing the meaning behind them or quite frankly may not know the meaning of the words in the song.
  • Many of you who “know” me will also remember the fact that I have always emphasized the word “know” in the Bible as to mean…an intimate relationship with someone, or something.
  • Look it up in Webster’s Dictionary and you will find the definition of the word “know” as follows 1. To have a clear perception or understanding of; to be sure of or well informed of (to know the facts) To be aware or cognizant of; have perceived or learned (to know that one is loved) 3. To have a firm mental grasp of; have securely in memory of (to know math problems) 4. To be acquainted or familiar with 5. To have understanding of or skill in as a result of study or experience (to know music) 6. To recognize (I would know that face anywhere) 7. To recognize as distinct; (to know right from wrong) 8. To have sexual intercourse with or an intimate relationship with.
  • The word “know” is found in the Bible 763 times.
  • Today, we will prove the true Biblical meaning of the word “know” and ask the question to you… “Do you know my Jesus?”

I. I Know Not

  A) David an example

  • David is making a vow (promise) to the Lord in Psalm 101:4…A froward (stubborn) heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.
  • When David said that he would “not know a wicked person” he means that he will not be intimate with or as some today may say “buddy buddy” with them or best friends with people who are stubborn or wicked.
  • David knew many wicked people. I am sure that there were some wicked people on his staff as a king over Israel.

  B) Peter an example

  • Matthew 26:69…Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.
  • 70) But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. 71) And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. 72) And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. 73) And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech betrayeth thee. 74) Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. 75) And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
  • Very important…Look at verse 70 when Matthew writes… “But he (Peter) denied before them all.” What did Peter deny? He denied the fact that he “knew”
  • We know this was a lie. Peter had an intimate relationship with Jesus. He knew Jesus’ mannerisms, he knew Jesus’ character, he knew Jesus’ doctrines, he knew Jesus’ favorite food, he knew Jesus like the back of his hand.
  • We all know why Peter denied Jesus 3 times. He feared death. To be associated with Jesus is certain death.
  • After Peter “…wept bitterly (verse 70)” he remembered the words of Jesus in Matthew 26:34…Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice (the word thrice means 3 times).
  • Now that Peter had sinned and denied Jesus three times I believe the reason that he wept bitterly is that he also remembered the words of Jesus in Matthew 10:33 …But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
  • Oh man, this is serious business! Peter is thinking that he will inherit hell because he has denied Christ Jesus, and Christ has denied knowing Peter.
  • Jesus knew the heart of Peter just as Jesus said in John 10:27…My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: Peter followed Jesus, Peter knew that Jesus was Lord and the Son of God, and Peter knew Jesus intimately (Not as a homosexual by the way).
  • After Jesus died, was buried and rose again on the 3rd day, Jesus came back and sought out Peter. He knew Peter loved Him and Jesus knew Peter’s heart.
  • The people that deny Jesus in Matthew 10:33 are those that chose not to be associated with Jesus and His sheep. These are people who “have their own religion.” These are people that believe works will get them to heaven. These are the people who do not go to the Lord in prayer nor do they consult Jesus in any decisions that they make. They know who Jesus is and maybe have made a profession of faith in Jesus, but never had in intimate relationship with Jesus. They did not “know”

  C) Joseph an example

  • When we look at the Christmas account of Jesus birth in Matthew 1:24…Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25) And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
  • We see here that Joseph “knew her (Mary) not” until she had given birth to Jesus. In other words Joseph did not get intimate in any way with Mary until after Jesus was born.
  • Joseph cared for her to make sure her needs were met, he talked to her, and possibly made plans for the future after Jesus was born and etc. But intimacy was out of the question.
  • This is like people today that claim to be “Christians/followers of Christ.” They come to church, they pray, and they have invited friends to come to their church. But they still do not “know Jesus.” They do not have an intimate relationship with Christ. They have denied Him.
  • These are the people that will be shocked when they stand before God at the Judgment in Matthew 7:21…Not everyone 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. 22) 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? 23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
  • Now I ask you this morning… “Do you know my Jesus?” 

II.  Knowing Jesus is Life Eternal

  A) Eternal life is doing this…

  • Now open your Bible and see what Jesus said to a lawyer who was asking about eternal life in Luke 10:25…And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
  • Now when we read about “lawyers” in the Bible, they are scribes, writers of the Old Testament Laws of God. These were not men who entered the courts to defend wrong doers as we have today. However they did defend the O.T. Laws and interpreted the Law to those who did not understand.
  • In verse 25 you will notice where this lawyer/scribe “tempted him (Jesus).” It means that he was checking out Jesus’ knowledge of the Old Testament. He wanted to see if Jesus answer to his question would be the same as he (the scribe/lawyer) was telling others.
  • Look at Jesus’ response in verse 26) He (Jesus) said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
  • In other words… Jesus knew what was in the heart of this lawyer/scribe. This lawyer thought that he was righteous and told Jesus what he did to earn eternal life.
  • The reply of the lawyer/scribe s in verse 27) And he (Lawyer/scribe) answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God…
  1. “…with all thy heart,”
  2. “… and with all thy soul,”
  3. “… and with all thy strength,”
  4. “… and with all thy mind;”
  5. “… and thy neighbour as thyself.”
  • The Lawyer was repeating exactly what Jesus had preached before in Matthew 22:37…Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38) This is the first and great commandment. 39) And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40) On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
  • Jesus was giving the Pharisees a summary or combined conclusion of what the Law of Moses was basically saying… “You are supposed to love God first and everybody else in the same way that you love yourself.”
  • When you love God, you will love Jesus, you will love others, and you will love yourself.
  • NOW… this is how you KNOW JESUS.
  • You “know Jesus” by loving Him and others. To love others and Jesus you must put them first and yourself last in ALL that you do.
  • Now in closing, let us look back into Luke 10, and see Jesus response to the lawyer’s answer on who how to obtain eternal life in verse 28) And he (Jesus) said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
  • Jesus basically told the lawyer/scribe that if he did love the Lord with all his heart, soul, mind, and loved everyone else in the same manner…then he would have eternal life.

Now I ask you this morning… “Do you “know” my Jesus?”