Jesus says in John 8:31-32, "You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." The word "know" used in this verse is key in our relationship to the Lord because it means much more than an intellectual knowing of facts. That's usually our understanding of knowing, especially when it comes to knowing truth. I know 2+2=4. I know that George Washington was our country's first President. And so on. These are facts that we memorize, and many times we approach "discipleship" in a similar fashion.
But in this verse, "know" means more than information. It is a knowing that cannot be separated from personal experience. We could say we "know" about climbing Mount Everest because we know where it is, we know what supplies to take, we know how long it would take to scale, we know the dangers to avoid, etc. But have you ever heard someone who's actually experienced it talk about it? They know about climbing Mount Everest in a very different way. They know the thrills and the challenges. They know the taste of snow in their mouth. They know what frostbite feels like. They've been to the summit and been changed by the view!
Jesus invites us to climb the mountain. He invites us to an experience of truth that changes us and sets us free. We need more than information; we need transformation. Our "knowing" becomes multi-faceted, multi-dimensional, rich and above all relational. So, whadda-ya know? Are you enjoying a relationship with Jesus? Are you experiencing truth in a way that is changing you and setting you free?
If you're looking for a jump-start, I would recommend Mission Bridge School. It's a 10-week discipleship invitation to climb the mountain. To register, email me (ben@themission.org) or sign up this weekend. We start June 3rd!
-Ben
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