S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

When people speak of "knowing" Jesus, they refer to having a relationship with Him. Being a Christian is more than knowing about Jesus; being a Christian is knowing Him personally. Jesus spoke of t...

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October 28 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What does it mean to know Jesus?

To know Jesus means establishing a personal, experiential relationship with him as Lord and Saviour, rather than merely knowing facts about him. It involves trusting in his sacrifice for salvation, following his teachings, and experiencing his transforming power through prayer and scripture. This relationship is characterised by loving him, being filled with the Holy Spirit, and growing in likeness to him.

Some Key Aspects of Knowing Jesus:

A Personal Relationship: It is an intimate, ongoing friendship, not just religious adherence.

Salvation and Faith: Accepting Jesus as Saviour and believing in his resurrection (Romans 10:9).

Transformation: Allowing his presence to change your life, character, and priorities.

Following Him: Obedience to his teachings and imitating his virtues.

Experiential Knowledge: Experiencing his resurrection power and "participating in his sufferings" in daily life.

How can you know Jesus? 

Romans 10:9 says, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." You must believe that Jesus is Lord and that He has risen from the dead. The reason He died was to pay for your sin (1 Peter 2:24).

Read the Bible: Focus on the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) to learn about His life, character, and teachings.

You need to know the truth about Jesus. Why? The Bible tells us: "And this is life eternal, that they should know thee the only true God, and him whom thou didst send, even Jesus Christ." ESV: John 17:3 

Jesus was a man who loved people and cared for them. He was kind and easy to talk to. Even children liked to be with him. (Mark 10:13-16) Jesus was always fair. He hated corruption and injustice. (Matthew 21:12, 13) He lived at a time when women didn't have many rights and were not treated with respect. But Jesus always treated women with respect and dignity. (John 4:9, 27) Jesus was also truly humble. For example, one evening he washed his apostles' feet, a task normally performed by a servant.​—John 13:2-5, 12-17.

"Who are the crowds saying that I am?"​—LUKE 9:18.

JESUS asked his disciples that question because he knew that people had varying opinions about him. 

Was Jesus really a historical person?

Ancient historians, including Josephus and Tacitus of the first century, mention Jesus as a historical figure. More importantly, the Gospels convincingly show that Jesus was a real person, not a fictional character.

Was Jesus the promised Messiah?

Bible prophecies foretold the coming of the Messiah, or Christ, meaning "Anointed One." This Promised One would play a key role in fulfilling God's purpose. On one occasion, a certain Samaritan woman told Jesus: "I know that the Messiah is coming, who is called Christ." Jesus then told her plainly: "I who am speaking to you am he."​—John 4:25, 26.

Jesus' early disciples—unique in their position to know what really happened—boldly proclaimed that Jesus was resurrected. (Acts 2:29-32; 3:13-15) In fact, they viewed belief in his resurrection as essential to the Christian faith. (1 Corinthians 15:12-19) Those disciples were willing to die rather than renounce their faith in Jesus. (Acts 7:51-60; 12:1, 2)

In Romans 5:8, Paul tells us what it means to know Jesus: "But God commendeth his own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

Meditate on this verse: "What other reason is there to come to know Jesus Christ?"

We need to study the Word regularly. Make reading the Bible a habit to know His character better, because the Bible is how Jesus reveals Himself to believers.

April 29 2026 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report