Do you hear Him?

Real proof of knowing...

Don't settle for knowing ABOUT Jesus. Know HIM. IF someone knows Jesus, they will be different for it.

One's character will be different if one actually knows Jesus. One's actions will be different if one actually knows Jesus. One's priorities will different if one actually knows Jesus. 

Consider: "As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, 'Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!' But he said, 'Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!'" (Luke 11:27-28 ESV)

In the vernacular -- a paraphrase -- the woman said, "Wow, Jesus, You're awesome! Mary is really blessed to have carried YOU in the womb!" 

Jesus immediately indicates that it's not physical proximity to Him that makes the difference, but obeying Him. 

Whew. 

No one was ever more physically close to Jesus than Mary, His mother, yet Jesus clearly says the blessing is for those who hear God's word, keep it, and make it their way of life. This is the difference between having information and experiencing transformation. 

Jesus did not diminish His mother, but He does elevate His disciples. He is saying it's more important to be His follower than it is to be His mom. If Jesus would say that about His mom, whom He remained concerned about EVEN AS He was being crucified, how much more would Jesus say to us that knowing about Him is not as important as obeying Him. Obedience is more important than information.

Lastly, the woman who exalted Mary did so because she was astounded by the teaching of Jesus. Yes, it IS a blessing to hear the word of Jesus, but the true blessing doesn't come just from hearing. The blessing comes from obeying.

Many love the experience of hearing preaching, but few embrace the blessing of application. Real proof that we know Jesus, and the real proof that we have really received the word of God is living it.