When the Holy Spirit opens our eyes and understanding to know Jesus’ identity as Savior and Lord, he also shows us that God has known all about us for a very long time, as far back as before he created the heavens and earth.
Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. Ephesians 1:4–5 (NLT)
Modern astrophysics has taught us that earth and its inhabitants are insignificant blips on God’s radar in the vast ever-expanding universe. They think he is much too busy governing the universe to take any notice of them and their unremarkable daily routine. But the Bible says that God watches over the earth and those who live here from his throne on high. (Isaiah 40:22) Jesus told us:
What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. 30 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. Matthew 10:29–31 (NLT)
When we are confronted with the astounding revelation that God knows us intimately and cares about even the smallest details in our lives, it has a life-changing effect.
When Jesus met Nathanael, he told that man things about himself that only God would know, which transformed him from being a skeptic to a believer.
Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49 Nathanael answered Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel.” John 1:47–49 (NASB95)
I have a friend whose wife had just gotten a terrible diagnosis and prognosis regarding cancer. In the midst of processing all that, in his heart he heard God say, “I know about this.” He told me that when he heard the Lord say that, his faith in a good outcome went through the roof. In fact, God completely healed her of stage-four cancer afterward.
Knowing that God knows and cares about us and our situation is transformative.
When Jesus met Peter, he let him know that God knew all about him, too.
One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He found first his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter). John 1:40–42 (NASB95)
When Jesus spoke prophetically to Peter, it was not some “parlor trick” designed to awe him into being a disciple. God does not do things that way. The words Jesus told Peter were important at the moment and would be in the future. By changing his name, Jesus altered his destiny. Peter would become a man of faith and stability eventually, which was important for him to know later, especially after he denied even knowing Jesus. When God tells us who we are, it supersedes every other thing ever told us.
Only God has the right to tell us who we are because only he truly knows who we are now and whom he will transform us to become.
When the Holy Spirit reveals Christ’s identity to us, it not only recreates our spirits through what is called the new birth, but it also marks us as one of God’s chosen ones.
And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. 14 The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him. Ephesians 1:13–14 (NLT)
Jesus looks for those whom God has called and who will respond in faith to the gospel message. He understands that his heavenly Father has chosen certain ones to belong to him. When our Lord sees faith spring up in a person, he recognizes them to be part of that group his Father has given to him.
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. John 10:27–29 (NASB95)
Revelation therefore reveals Christ to us and shows who we are, too.
In the New Testament, any blind person who came to Jesus requesting that his eyes be opened received what he requested. Should we think God would do any less for us? If you have yet to see Jesus in a way that opens your eyes to his true identity and makes you want to worship and serve him, you can ask the Lord to open your spiritual eyes. That is what I did over fifty-four years ago. God mercifully opened my previously blinded spiritual understanding to reveal Jesus to me in a life transforming way. He will do the same for you. He is no respecter of persons.
Prayer
Jesus, I want to open my spiritual eyes so I can know, believe, and serve you. Jesus, I acknowledge that you died for my sins, rose again as the Lord of all, and are calling me to be part of your people. I receive all you died to give me, and I give myself to you. Holy Spirit, come into my life and change me on the inside, Make me a follower of Jesus. Help me to boldly tell others about you. Amen.
If you prayed this prayer and meant it, God will surely do his part to open your spiritually blind eyes. Please let me know when this happens for you.
For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.” John 6:40 (NLT)
