I Want to Know You
I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death. Philippians 3:10
Chapter 3 of Philippians is about the influence of Christ in one’s life that comes from really knowing Him. Paul’s argument is that this knowing or knowledge of Christ is not just gaining intellectual knowledge of Him. It is not all about memorizing scripture and being able to quote chapter and verse. To know the Lord goes beyond intellectual learning. It is about a relationship. It is building a deeply personal and intimate knowledge that ultimately forms our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. Paul’s life is an expression of his transformative journey to KNOW Christ in a personal and intimate way. Knowing about something indeed has value but knowing as Paul prescribes is value defining.
A way to help illustrate Paul’s message might be to consider the depth of how we get to know our friends. If our relationships are just based on some casual contact now and then, there’s no real vitality in such relationships. The friends we know best are the ones we spend the most time with. Those that have shared deep experiences – joyful and sad, with unwavering commitment to be there for one another in any situation.
Being there in all situations is where we will find Jesus our most intimate friend. We all have times of suffering and in fact I’ve come to this passage seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance for some recent challenges in my life. I’m sure we’ve all had times when someone asks this question, “Why does God seem to be absent in times of suffering”, or something like that. Perhaps you’ve even asked that question yourself. I confess I have. Paul grew in faith and learned that faith is not a ticket out of struggles, or a way to avoid difficulties in life completely.
I can’t understand the deepest level of the mystery of God’s love, but Paul’s inspired words have helped me to build a confidence that rises above the heartache. That confidence is found in our suffering Messiah, crucified willingly to pour out His love and comfort continually and always, including in our most distressing moments. What I must suffer pales in comparison to the weight of sin Jesus took on in my place. The full consequence of sin, the complete judgement absorbed in Him.
When we lean into this relationship with Jesus, uniting our body, soul, and spirit with Him, there comes rest and peace. Just as the risen Christ taught Paul, may He teach us to have humility in trials. In those experiences may we take a moment to focus on Christ’s pain and suffering endured for us.
Heavenly Father, I desire to know Christ. To know more deeply, His resurrected influence in my life. May I learn to submit in all my trails to be more obedient to Your Spirit’s leading. May each day find me increasingly conformed into Your image and likeness. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.