Knowing Christ

By Rev Kenneth Mtata

10 March 2022

Today’s readings

• Psalm 27

• Genesis 13:1-7, 14-18 

• Philippians 3:2-12

Verse of the day

“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:10-11).

When Paul was saying “I want to know Christ…” he had already known about Jesus as a historical figure; he had already had a powerful experience on the road to Damascus, an experience that had changed the course of his life forever. Paul had seen the hand of God in his preaching of the word as many people believed and churches were being established in many new places. Yet, Paul was never satisfied—he wanted to know Christ. Paul made it his life-long objective to know Christ. 

What is to know Christ? One can know Christ in many but three ways. One can have head knowledge, heart knowledge or experiential knowledge.

Head knowledge is what we gain when we read, study, or hear about Jesus. This knowledge is important but not enough for salvation. One can learn from history that there was a man called Jesus who lived in Palestine. This historical knowledge is important but is not enough to help us enjoy the fullness of our salvation.

Heart knowledge is what we normally feel when we are in a moving religious environment when certain songs are sung, or certain statements are mentioned about Jesus. It is a connection we get at an emotional level when the message of Jesus is presented. Of course emotional feeling are not confined to religious environments. While such emotional connection to the word of God or to Christ Jesus is beneficial, it does not make one a better disciple than those who are less emotional.

Experiential knowledge of Christ is what Paul was talking about when he said “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” He wanted to know Christ in his totality, historically, emotionally, but also in concrete daily experiences of suffering, anxiety, fear, but also in joy, celebration, and confidence. This is the Christ of both the cross and the resurrection, Christ of the mountain top and of the valley, Christ of the sunshine and of the thunderstorm. Our knowledge of Christ is most healthy when he remains our Lord in all circumstances.

Prayer

God, we desire to know you through Christ. Let your Spirit enlighten out minds and warm our hearts when we hear your word.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen