Rēad to Read …Again
Daily Reading: John 1-2
John 2:25
And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.
No one can tell the Lord anything about another person, or themselves, that He doesn’t already know. Today’s verse relates that fact about our Lord. He knew what was in man, and He knows what is in man, meaning every person.
An observant parent may be able to predict with uncanny success that which their child will do in any situation. But that parent as observant and knowing as they could be does not, cannot, know all that is really in their child. Same with a pastor, they may see in a church member talents and traits that God can use in service to Him, but the pastor knows not all that is in them. This is proven every time a parent or pastor or manager, or friend, is surprised by the actions of those they know. They know some, but not all.
Jesus knows all.
He knows, for example, why each person was created. Universally speaking, every person was created first and foremost for the Lord, that He may receive glory and pleasure from them. Proof? Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. That is the overriding purpose of life. To glorify Him and give Him pleasure. However, He knows who will and who will not. Yes, it is their free will to perform either, but He already knows that which they will choose. For He knows what is in them.
It may be that a person was created to bring Him glory and pleasure by being a faithful servant to Him, perhaps a preacher, or wife of a preacher. Then for others, they may bring Him glory and pleasure by being a faithful, hospitable, gracious and attentive usher in one of His churches. Or by keeping the nursery, or teaching a class, running a bus route, or simply being in the pew supporting the preacher and encouraging others. Who knows, for there are as many plans that God has for individuals as there are individuals. Find out that which He wants of your life, do it with zeal, faithfulness, and fidelity to the Scriptures and you will bring Him glory and pleasure.
In Genesis 18 God shares something with the reader that proves this point. For He said of Abraham, For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. Genesis 18:19 So, why did God pick Abraham? Because He knew him.
Additionally, in John 1 the reader is introduced to a man named Nathanael. Of him Jesus said, …Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! (1:47). Jesus, the Lord knew what was in him before He ever met him.
These two proofs, one from the Old Testament and one from the New prove that the Lord knows what is in a person. Since there is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34) with the Lord, the conclusion could be drawn that He knows what is in all men. He knows what is in you; you may not, but He does. Someone once said, which has been repeated innumerable times, “Has it ever occurred to you that nothing ever occurred to God?” Yes, indeed, He knows it all from the beginning to the ending.
Dr. William T. Howe
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