Do You KNOW the Lord?
“…the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers” John 10:3-4 “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:14-15 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” John 10:27 underlining added
Do you KNOW the Lord? These words should not be tossed around; they are infinitely and eternally significant. Over and again in John 10, Jesus uses the word KNOW. His sheep KNOW Him, the Good Shepherd, and He KNOWS His sheep. Jesus and His followers KNOW each other. What exactly does this mean?
Know is translated from the Greek word Ginosko which includes in its definition to learn to know, come to know, get a knowledge of, perceive, feel, come to know, understand, as well as physical intimacy between a man and woman, according to Thayer’s dictionary. What does this mean for us? God wants us to have an intimate relationship with Him such that we hear Him, recognize Him, perceive Him, stay close to Him, allow Him close to us, and come to know Him more over time as our personal relationship with Him develops. He wants us to cleave to Him.
Studying God’s Word diligently and daily demonstrates a desire to KNOW and follow Him and a yearning for ever-growing intimacy with Him. How can we learn of His ways, recognize His voice, and be led by Him to live the lives He created us to live if we do not take the time in His Word and in His presence daily to KNOW Him?