You’ll all know me

Everyone is to know the Lord. That is the essence and the great privilege of the new covenant. It is not merely a matter of salvation by grace, but of knowing the Lord Himself – His person, His nature, His presence and His daily speaking. The scribes and Pharisees knew the Scriptures very well. Yet the Lord said to them: ‘You search the Scriptures, yet “you do not wish to come to me so that you may have life”’ (John 5:40). We certainly need the Bible, but we do not merely wish to know the Scriptures and the doctrine; rather, we wish to come to him through the Scriptures and to know him personally. After all, we do not truly know a person simply by having read a book about them. Therefore, we do not drink the cup of the New Covenant as a mere ritual. Every week there is still so much more to know about Him. The Lord is unfathomable! ‘...who has also made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.’ (2 Cor. 3:6). Even when we read the Bible, it must be brought to life for us by the Spirit. Under the old covenant, only a few knew the Lord in this way: Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David and others. Moses exclaimed: ‘Oh, that all the Lord’s people were prophets! That the Lord would put his Spirit upon them!’ (Num. 11:29). Today the Spirit dwells within us, and the anointing teaches us all things. Why should only pastors or those who know theology, Greek or Hebrew know the Lord? From pupils and children to our older brothers and sisters – everyone should know him. We do not want to be dependent on others, but to learn for ourselves to hear His voice. Even experiencing miracles and the Lord’s help does not mean we know Him. Israel saw His mighty deeds and yet did not truly know Him. The Lord says of the old covenant: ‘…they did not remain in my covenant, and so I did not take care of them’ (Heb. 8:9). Therefore, let us not miss out on this privilege of the New Covenant or waste our time on other things. Let us press on into the Most Holy Place, for that is where our High Priest is. Take time before the Lord. Come to him. Listen to his voice. Get to know him for yourself.