Prior Information - Pt. 4
Rev. Osei Kwabena Nkrahene | August 24 2024 | John 16:1-4
KEY VERSE:
“ And they will do these things, because they have not known the Father nor me.” John 16:3 (ESV)
MESSAGE:
Jesus foretells a time when His followers would be persecuted—expelled from their places of worship and even killed—by those who believe they are serving God. The root cause of this tragic behaviour, Jesus explains, is a profound lack of knowledge: they do not truly know the Father or the Son.
This ignorance is evident throughout the Gospels. Despite the many signs and miracles Jesus performed, the Jewish leaders and many of the people failed to recognize Him as the promised Messiah, unable to see that the Father and the Son are one.
In John 20:30-31, the Apostle John writes, “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” Unfortunately, many missed these opportunities to believe.
Apostle Peter further emphasizes this in Acts 3:13-15 when he addresses the people: “ ¹⁴But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, ¹⁵ and you killed the Author of life, ...” This was a grave mistake—a “wrong choice of abysmal proportions,” as Paul reflects in 1 Corinthians 2:8, where he explains that if people had truly understood, they would not have crucified “the Lord of glory.”
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
2 Corinthians 4:4 reminds us of the spiritual battle we face: the enemy blinds people to the truth of the gospel. Acts 26:18, however, calls us to action, to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light. Let us make it our priority to help others come to know Christ. PRAYER:
Lord, let Your concern for the lost be our concern as well. Instil this same passion within Your church. Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
DAILY word study: NOT KNOWN
The phrase "not known" in John 16:3 is derived from the Greek word "οὐκ ἔγνωσαν" (ouk egnōsan). The word "ἔγνωσαν" (egnōsan) is the aorist active indicative form of "γινώσκω" (ginōskō), which means "to know," "to perceive," or "to understand." In this context, "οὐκ" (ouk) negates the verb, implying a lack of knowledge or understanding. Therefore, "not known" conveys a lack of recognition or awareness.
the context in which "οὐκ ἔγνωσαν" is used in John 16:3. speaks about Jesus addressing the spiritual condition of those who oppose His followers. Their failure to recognize Jesus as the Son of God and their ignorance of the Father's nature is what leads them to believe they are righteous while acting in opposition to God's will. This ignorance is not merely a lack of factual knowledge; it is a refusal to accept the truth that Jesus has revealed about Himself and the Father.
Reflections
In what ways can you deepen your relational knowledge of God to ensure that your faith and actions are grounded in His truth rather than a misunderstanding of His will?
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