THE TERRIBLE BURDEN OF KNOWING

 

Wednesday, September 14, 2022

 

THE TERRIBLE BURDEN OF KNOWING

 

John 2:23-25

23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.

24 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,

25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

 

2 Cor 11:27-28

27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

 

          Most of us have heard the phrase “blissfully ignorant” and perhaps have secretly thought it to be wrong. Knowledge, we think, is much to be preferred to not knowing. That may be so until we learn the cost of knowing.

 

          Our two portions this morning highlight the painful limitations of knowing certain things. As for Jesus, He knew everything. He knew the spontaneous desire to follow Him would soon enough become betrayal and crucifixion. What might be the outcome if you knew that a person’s outward show of worship hid a deep hypocrisy? Knowing things sometimes hinders relationships.

 

          To have the spirit of discernment is to possess the ability to judge well. We get our English word "aesthetic" from the Greek word for discernment, meaning moral perception, insight, and the practical application of knowledge.

 

          As for Paul, of all the sufferings he listed in Second Corinthians eleven, one thing stood out and stood alone. That is the literal meaning of the phrase “beside those things that are without.” The word “beside” is the Greek choris which literally means “separately or apart from.” The word “care” is merimna which means “distraction caused by solicitude.” To care and to be unable to act upon that care was a great distraction for Paul. Warren Wiersbe said: “The greatest burden was not around him, but within him.”

 

Merciful Lord, thank you for both knowing me and loving me. AMEN