To Know Him

“And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.” Luke 2:47

We have all heard the story about Jesus and his visit to Jerusalem when He was twelve years old. Instead of leaving for home with his family, He went to the temple and talked with the learned men who gathered there. They were astonished at the way He communicated with them. They did not realize how privileged they were to be the first ordinary people to hold a conversation with God in visible form.

It was several years later that Jesus would begin His earthly ministry and many more people would be privileged to walk and talk with Him. In most cases, they did not realize who He really was – God manifested in human flesh. He healed the sick, touched blind eyes, and even raised the dead. They followed Him for the miracles, and only a few accepted Him as their Messiah. Probably many of those men who had been astonished at Him as a boy in the temple, were the ones calling for His crucifixion, as His ministry came to an end.

Today, we do not have Jesus with us in bodily form. But by His death on Calvary, He made a way that we could come boldly into His presence. We can communicate with Him and receive the wisdom and instruction that we need. As we read His Word, it comes alive in our hearts, and we can feel Him near, even though we cannot see Him with our natural eyes. He is still our healer, our deliverer, our comfort, and our peace. What a privilege it is to know Him as our Saviour and our Lord.

Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for the privilege of knowing you, of being able to communicate daily with you through prayer and the Word of God.

Devotion by Anne Johnston