HRH Princess Kate and Knowing Jesus

 

 

HRH Princess Kate recently completed the UK’s Three Peaks Challenge, which involves hiking up Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in England, and Mount Snowdon in Wales - a total of 23 miles and 10,052 feet of ascent - in 24 hours. Hiking all three also requires 462 miles of driving to get between the peaks. She accomplished this feat to highlight and support holistic cancer treatment.

 

Vickie and I watched an interview with a climber she met during the Challenge. At first he didn’t recognize her for she had a hat pulled down over her forehead and was, of course, dressed as any other climber. She wanted to know how he was doing and engaged him in pleasant conversation. When he recognized who she was he was overwhelmed with her graciousness, and as he shared the experience his face and eyes radiated joy.

 

As I watched the interview I thought about the difference between knowing Jesus and knowing about Jesus; the difference between speaking with Jesus ourselves and having others tell us about Him and what He is like.

 

Now, of course even though the climber met Princess Kate, he really doesn’t know her, but for sure he has encountered her and having encountered her he has an experience that those who follow her life in media would love to have. The climber has heard her voice directed to him, he has seen her eyes, he has been in her presence – and he has absorbed a portion of her radiance…at least for a while (though I imagine whenever he shares his experience his eyes will light up, well into old age).

 

We read that God “Made His ways known to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel” (Psalm 103:7). But there is more, Moses not only knew the ways of God, Moses and God spoke face to Face as friends speak to one another (Exodus 33:11; Deut. 34:10).

 

We can know the acts of God, we can read about them, talk about them, believe them; but that does not mean that we have a relationship with God. Even knowing the Bible does not mean that we have a relationship with God in Christ. We can even know the ways of God, we can know a measure of His character, His holiness, His righteousness, His love; but even then we may not actually be in a relationship with Him. Jesus calls us to know Him and His Father and live in the Holy Spirit. He calls us to intimacy with the Holy Trinity.

 

People who know HRH the Princess of Wales talk about her. Even those who have a brief encounter with her talk about her. Those in relationship with her speak of her and faithfully (I hope) represent her as a result of time spent with her and because of their trust in her and her trust in them.

 

And here is the conundrum, where are Christians who speak of Jesus as a friend speaks of a friend? Where are Christians who are so in love with Jesus that the foolishness of the promiscuous world and society and nations and economics and national identity mean nothing to them because Jesus means everything?

 

Why are Christians offended when fools for Jesus insist that we are to be wedded to Jesus, and to Jesus alone? (2 Cor. 11:11 – 3).

 

I assume Christians would not be offended when I insist that I be married to Vickie and Vickie alone, that I have eyes for her and her alone, that I devote myself and my heart to her and to her alone.

 

Then why do so many pastors and churches and Christians take offense when others suggest that our hearts be devoted to Jesus and to Jesus alone? Why do they not speak of Jesus their Friend? Of what He has spoken to them during the past few days? Of His heart of love and care for others? Of what they are learning of Him and His ways, His heart, His character, His Cross, His self-sacrifice, His sufferings – in which He invites us to participate?

 

Those who met Princess Kate on her Three Peaks Challenge speak of her with joy, those who have an actual ongoing relationship with her know the difference between knowing her and knowing about her.

 

When is the last time you spoke to someone in your congregation about your own relationship with Jesus Christ? When is the last time you spoke to a neighbor or a stranger about your dear Lord Jesus?

 

I think it can be more dangerous to speak of Jesus within the “church” than outside it – and I mean that portion of the church that professes a high view of Scripture. We act as if the owner of the vineyard is dead…yes, I think we do.

 

Well, I know different…and I hope you do too.

 

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13 – 14).

 

It has taken me 76 years to realize, in some measure, the truth of this statement.