Known or unknown? Accepted for who you are or rejected?
Are you unknown in the midst of acquaintances? Lonely, in spite of being in the middle of a crowd? At times our hearts do wonder if anyone really knows us or even sees us. In addition, we question, “Am I accepted for who I am? Or if others could see my brokenness would they still be my friend?”
To be known is the cry of the heart. For that reason, we want to be known for who we really are deep in our heart. Yet, vulnerability scares us. Consequently, we don a false persona that masks the reality of who we are in our innermost being.
Unknown and Unwanted
Jesus came vulnerable to this world. In fact, He came to experience life as we know it. Yet, He also came to bind up the brokenhearted. He came to set us free from our sins and our fears. As He walked the paths of this earth, He experienced the heartbreak of being unknown.
John 1:10 & 11 bears out this thought. “He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.”
Our Past and Present Known
The story of Nathanael, found in the first chapter of John, grips our hearts as we realize the depth of knowing that happens in this short account. Moreover, the impact becomes more effective when we realize that this interaction happens shortly after Jesus’ own rejection is recorded.
First, we find Nathanael, doubting that anything good could come out of Nazareth. Meanwhile Nathanael overhears Jesus speaking to Philip about him. Subsequently, He is amazed at all Jesus knew at their first meeting. Finally with puzzlement, Nathanael asks, “How do you know me?”
Jesus answered, “I saw thee.” In other words, Jesus was saying, I perceived and noticed you. I understand you. We also see that Jesus answered in the past tense. This reveals that Jesus knew him in the past, as well as in this present moment.
Jesus knew the inmost thoughts and desires of Nathanael’s heart. With this realization, Nathanael pledged his allegiance to this Rabbi, who is the Son of God.
Jesus knows our past and our present as well. He knows us. He perceives and understands us. Even knowing our brokenness, Jesus accepts us.
Jesus knows the emotions that come with being unwanted, unknown and unaccepted. In other words, He has been there. Thus, Jesus validates His claim to provide answers for each one of us in our own rejection. He reaches out to us with hand and heart extended. He knows us and He sees us.
Psalm 139:1 & 2 reminds us of this fact. “O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.”
Known, yet Loved
Not only has He wrestled with feelings that come with being rejected, but He has found that being known and accepted by His Heavenly Father is enough. Jesus is God’s answer to the needs of the human race. Consequently, Jesus has the ability to see into our hearts and provide the answers to life’s deepest needs. He sits with us in our struggles, embraces us in our loneliness and becomes the answer to our longing to be known.
Jesus knows where we are at today. Yet, He loves us. His love is not contingent on how good or bad we have been. We don’t have to earn His love. Nor do we have to buy His love. He came into this world that He had created. Yet He was rejected. Furthermore, He died on the cross in our place. He endured it all because of His great love for each of us individually. Consequently, He now freely offers you and me forgiveness from sin. A forgiveness that will transform your heart and life.
In addition, He extends the hand of friendship and stands ready to build a vital relationship with you. A friendship that will hold you throughout the times of rejection and loneliness that are so prevalent in this world. To sum it up, Jesus is personally invested in you. Jesus knows you, yet He loves you. He desires that you have the reality of knowing Him. Jesus will fill the lonely places of your soul.
We come to Him. He tenderly embraces us and we are known and He is enough.
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