Dear Hope family,

Thought for the Week

Jesus – #doyouknowhimTelford?

Philippians 3v8 “I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ my Lord… I want to know Christ – yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings.”

Last Sunday we began a series with many churches across Telford “#doyouknowhimtelford”. This is the most vital question we can ask ourselves and others. Do I know Jesus?

The question is not whether we know about Jesus (though that does help us to know him), it is whether we actually know him. Do we relate with him, connect with him, rely on him?

With the death of Prince Philip last week and his funeral this Saturday, most of the UK knew about him, quite a number had met him at various times, but only a relative few actually knew him: most notably the Queen and the immediate family.

Paul indicates in these verses that knowing Jesus was closely connected to knowing the power of his resurrection and participating in his sufferings. When we are closely connected with someone we share in their joys and their griefs. Do I connect with Jesus in these things? Do I share his heart? Do I have his passions? Do I love what he loves and hate what he hates?

How close am I to Jesus? Do I really know him?

In Ephesians 1, Paul says “I keep asking … that the glorious Father may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know him better.” Amen!

With love and blessing,

Roland