“On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” Matthew 7:22-23 ESV
Reflection: does the Lord Jesus really know you?
One of the strange things about insurance is that we don’t use it, unless we need it. Until some event happens that we cannot handle or afford by ourselves. In fact, paying for insurance when all is going well seems like a complete waste of money. Month after month, year after year, paying for something we don’t use. And, truthfully, most of us don’t take the time to fully understand the details of the policy, the contract of “coverage”, as much as we should before signing it. As with any contract, it is painful a study, perhaps intentionally designed this way. So, instead we put our trust in an insurance broker or agent, hoping that all is well. That is, until the day we need it. Then, suddenly what is actually in the contract becomes critical. Then suddenly we look at the fine print, and find out all sorts of things about the insurance company we are working with, and what our contract or policy truly covers.
Perhaps one of the most difficult paragraphs in the Bible to think about, is found in Matthew 7:21-23, and Luke 13:22-30. It is dealing with some who find out too late that they had been living under, working under false pretenses, thinking all is well, even doing mighty works in the name of Jesus. But, then finding out “at the last day” that they had been completely misled, or had misunderstood scripture, and were unable to enter the kingdom of heaven. Keep in mind, this is Jesus Himself who warns about this. Let’s read these somber verses once more. “On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” Matthew 7:22-23 ESV This should shake up every believer, every follower of Christ.
He says to them “I never knew you”. Can you image?
So, how can we know that we are known by Jesus? There is a verse before these two, that explains what it takes to enter the kingdom, ““Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21 ESV. Jesus addressed this point about calling Him Lord, but then doing our own thing, many times. Calling Him “Lord”, means of course He is Lord, not us, and that we follow Him. But then He makes it very clear that following also means to “do the will of my Father who is in heaven”. And that is exactly the point. Because, in order to do His will, we need put ourselves aside; “die to self”. We need to get to know Him, to be known by Him, to know His will, and then to do His will. And, the only way we can get to know the Father in heaven, is through Jesus.
There is no other way, no other “door”. It is the “narrow door”, as Jesus called it.
In the book of Luke, we see this topic covered more comprehensively. And, since it is so critical for us, we should also look at this paragraph for context. “He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out. And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”” Luke 13:22-30 ESV.
What is important to also notice here is that Jesus was going through towns and villages on His way to Jerusalem. It was a journey among His own people, as He is teaching them. And, it is first to them He warns of the need to enter only through Him. For those who don’t, He says, “I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out.” Luke 13:27-28. Wow, that is not what many churches teach today. And He continues, “And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”” Luke 13:29-30 ESV. Jesus tells all people as He did His own people at the time,
“unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”” Luke 13:5b ESV.
Do we understand what the scripture truly says, or are we just listening to popular teachings? To what we want to hear? We must study the word ourselves, and be very careful to know the “fine print”, so that we are not fooled by the deceiver himself, before it is too late. We need to know what it actually says. That means work for most of us, to take time to study the Word of God. But Jesus said “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” There is plenty of false teaching these days, and more will come in these last days. Psalm 139 is perhaps the best depiction of a heart that truly desires to be known by God. It is a good Psalm to study, and to make our own prayer.