29 Then Jesus' disciples said, "Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. 30 Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God."
In our verses for today, the disciples have had their eyes opened a bit more in regard to the pure depth and knowledge of the Savior. He had spoken to them clearly – without riddles and figures of speech - in words they could comprehend and digest. He delved into the recesses of their minds - to the itch of their unspoken questions and gave them a soul satisfying scratch. He not only answered what was asked of Him but also addressed their thoughts as well. Our Lord not only has infinite knowledge but He also possesses the ability to use it wisely. He reveals His paths so that man may know them yet it is humanly impossible to ever exhaust them.
33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Romans 11:33 (NIV)
2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. Col 2:2-4 (NIV)
Our complete understanding results from our complete yielding – there is no full knowledge apart from a moral commitment. This insight into God’s ways enables believers to know Christ more fully which leads them to love Him more dearly which leads them to follow Him more nearly – day by day.
“Christ knows...the...affections of His disciples for Him; that if He has their love, their desires will be chiefly after Him. Their delights will be chiefly in Him; their hopes and expectation will be chiefly from Him; their hatred, fear, grief, anger, will be carried forth chiefly as sin as it is offensive unto Him.” Thomas Vincent
“Every miracle always begins with the first ordinary step of faithfulness.” Ann Voskamp
Jesus came to reveal God to man. No one has ever seen God’s essential nature – His inner essence disclosed only in our Lord Jesus – the One and Only. John tells us earlier in his gospel:
18 No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known. John 1:18 (NIV)
The writer of Hebrews reveals that Jesus is not only the Creator and Heir of all things but He is also a perfect reflection of the God Who has spoken in Him:
2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. Heb 1:2-3 (NIV)
We would do well to remember that Jesus knows the thoughts of men – nothing remains hidden from His sight. We possess no question, no confusion, no agenda, no lust, no prideful selfish ambition that He is not privy to. He is never taken by surprise by any of our thoughts or questions or poor choices or actions. It does not amaze me so much that He knows the depravity of my heart but that He continues to love me just the same. I can to come to Him morning after morning and He cleanses me white making me like snow. He washes me from the dirt of my wrong thinking and my wrong doing. Praise Him! It is His love that propels me towards obedience of His perfect ways which, by the way, are always for my very best. Being fully aware of what is in man He is able to address even the unasked questions. Scripture tells us:
24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. 25 He did not need man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man. John 2:24-25 (NIV)
13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Heb 4:13 (NIV)
“Do not wait for some ideal situation, some romantic difficulty, some far-away emergency; but rise to meet the actual conditions which the providence of God has placed around you today. Your crown of glory lies embedded in the very heart of these things – those hardships and trials that are pressing you this very hour, week, and month of your life. The hardest things are not those that the world knows of. Down in your secret soul unseen and unknown by any but Jesus, there is a little trial that you would not dare to mention, that is harder for you to bear than martyrdom. There, beloved, lies your crown. God help you to overcome, and sometime wear it.” Streams in the Desert – selected.