Knowing

Had a conversation this morning with my dear friend serving in Guam today. I walked away with some new thoughts on suffering, enduring, persevering, and trusting. We both came to the conversation with suffering. It looks different for both of us, but what do we do with suffering?

Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that he would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray him, Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come forth from God and was going back to God…

John 13:1-3

Throughout the book of John, we can trace the words, “his hour had not yet come”. In John 12, he knows the hour has come. And now, this phrase is said again. Jesus set his face and we now have four treasured chapters of his last words to his beloved before the cross.

He loved his own. He loved them to the end. And that Judas. Don’t miss that he washes Judas’ feet, KNOWING.

The phrase, “Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands.” I wanted to know what john meant by knowing. So I am cross-referencing for my study.

“For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment [that is, the prerogative of judging] to the Son [placing it entirely into His hands], so that all will give honor (reverence, homage) to the Son just as they give honor to the Father. [In fact] the one who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who has sent Him.”
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John 5:22-23 AMP

All judgment into the Son’s hands. Think of this for a moment. Sobering. All who will give honor to the Father must in turn give the same honor to the Son. Jesus is the way to the Father. What does honor look like in my life? Acknowledging Jesus in the good and acknowledging his sovereignty in the hard. Each means I know Jesus to be the only way.

We would like to make it comfortable for people by saying there are many ways to God, but these verses I am about to share make it very clear. There is one way.

Truly, I tell you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in himself, so also he has granted to the Son to have life in himself. And he has granted him the right to pass judgment, because he is the Son of Man.

John 5:24-27

Think of this, friends. The dead will hear the voice of Jesus and live. Jesus has power over the dead. Life is found in both the Father and the Son. And again, the right to pass judgment is given to the Son. These same words are repeated in Matthew 28:18. Someday, when my time on earth is done, i will hear the voice of my Savior. I will hear his voice audibly. What a day it will be. Today, whatever I face, I know there is a day coming. I can face today with Jesus.

For this reason God highly exalted him (Jesus) and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow—in heaven and on earth and under the earth—and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:9-11

God has exalted Jesus. He has a name that is above all. Someday we will all bow, whether we acknowledge this or not. Our tongues will confess that Jesus is Lord and it is to the Father’s glory we do this. I can do this now. I can bow my knee in what I don’t understand. I can bow my knee in worship, with tears. I can confess Jesus is Lord each day. Acknowledge it. trust Jesus with it all.

Ephesians 1:21-22, 1 Corinthians 15:27, Hebrews 2:8-9 all say this: He (God) has put all things in subjection under his (Jesus) feet. Not sure what isn’t included in all things. I don’t think there is anything. So that means everything is in subjection to Jesus. i just audibly sighed and looked on the beautiful trees, wind, sunshine. All under his feet. I think of my family and know, all things are under his feet. I think of my worries for our country, world..all things under his feet. Suffering, whether physical or spiritual or earthly, is under his feet. I could go on.

And finally, I end with this.

In these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son. God has appointed him heir of all things and made the universe through him. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of his nature, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. So he became superior to the angels, just as the name he inherited is more excellent than theirs.

Hebrews 1:2-4

Amen? Amen.