What does it mean to know Jesus?

Read Philippians 3.

"If anyone could make it to heaven, surely he did."  That statement at a funeral was meant to be a compliment to the deceased for the kind of person he was and all that he had done to help others.  The problem is that being "good" has nothing to do with going to heaven.

Like the Galatians, the Philippian congregation encountered some false teachers.  The error being communicated was that in addition to Jesus one must do certain things in order to be saved.  Works of "the flesh", Paul called them.  Well, if works and achievement could earn merit with God, then the Apostle Paul had more than enough about which to boast (vv.4-6).  But none of those things forgave his sin, removed his guilt, and secured a home in heaven. "I count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ" (v.8).   Indeed, He considered knowing Jesus as having "surpassing worth."

Obviously, this is more than lip service about knowing Jesus.  It is not just information or a shallow belief.  Paul and the Philippians already knew Christ as their Savior.  But there is so much more.  Knowing Jesus, as the Bible describes, results in the renunciation of self for the priceless relationship with the Lord of life.  Here is the depth of that relationship from verse 10.

1. "That I may know him and the power of his resurrection".
This has nothing to do with a denomination or a church or a list of things to do.  This is a person with whom we are to develop an intimacy like no other.  One of the astounding facts of our faith is that the Creator and Sustainer of the universe desires our fellowship.  He has the power over life and death.  This was proved by His own predicted resurrection.  It is a precursor of our own resurrection.  But far greater than physical resurrection is His power to give spiritual life to those who were dead in sin.

2.  "That I may know him...and may share in his sufferings".
Those who only give lip service to faith in Christ shrink when they are challenged to take a stand for Jesus.  Isaiah 53 speaks of the Messiah as one who was "despised and rejected".  The Apostle Paul frequently wrote of his sufferings solely due to letting others know about Jesus.  But no one gets to heaven unless someone delivers the good news to them (Romans 10:14).  Silence for a believer in Jesus is not golden.  Heartache and heartbreak over the spiritual condition of others comes with knowing Christ.  Not all will be martyred for knowing Jesus, but "all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12).

3. That I may know him...becoming like him in his death".
Paul is not suggesting that all believers should experience physical crucifixion.  However, truly knowing Jesus involves a death to self and all sinful behaviors of the past.  The baptism of a believer in water is a picture of what has already taken place when we were immersed into Christ by the Holy Spirit.  "We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:4)  "So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus." (Romans 6:11)