“Don’t you know Me yet?”

John 14:9

They had been with Him for three years. Sitting at the table together, having eaten what,
unbeknownst to the 12 chosen followers, was to become their last meal with Jesus. They were listening to Words Jesus had never spoken before. . . at least not in this way. . . to the small group of men who had been with Him for the past 3 years. So much time spent around the table together in so many places as they had followed Jesus throughout their tiny country of Israel. They were back in Jerusalem now. Home. Three years of following Him, “schlepping” all over that Land. They were not the same men He had told to “Follow Me.” And they had.

But it had changed their lives and their hearts.

So, when Jesus, after the meal, looked around the table and told them that, soon, He would be “going” and that they were not coming with Him, at least not yet,. . . it grabbed their full attention.

“What? Where? Why?” This was something different. He was saying things about leaving. . .
going to His Father . . . and they would not be going with Him. He was talking about their new Assignment, but without Him physically with them. They would be staying, but He was “going.”

I am reminded of a familiar scene that plays out in every family. . . Mom or Dad start putting on their coats because they are going somewhere. They assure the children that it’s for a little while, but they’ll be back. It’s such a familiar scene for each child, yet their thoughts go into a brief panic-mode….Where are you going? Can I come with you? I don’t want to stay home!

Why? When? How long? But . . . but . . . but . . . “ The anxiety is real in the hearts of the
“little’s” staying behind. Tears . . . clinging. . . following to the door. . .Jesus’ circle of men were familiar with Jesus’ periodic short absences. But He always came back. And although they could never have imagined what was coming in just a few hours . . where He was about to go, and what He was about to go through, Jesus made it clear that this Journey He would have to make alone.

“Don’t you know Me yet?” In the Journey each of us is making as we follow Him, the Path and Steps we must take are often not easy . . . not of our own plans nor desires. . . at times
dangerous, heartbreaking, and unimagined.

But in the midst of walking…stumbling…limping…running along that Path, with our fears,
insecurities, heart-aches and joys, He leans over and says, “Don’t you know Me yet?” That’s
the “bottom line” issue as we follow Him. As He asks us to do things…go places…step into
rough waters…face unspeakable fears and sorrows along our Journey, His Voice echoes in our Hearts. . . “Don’t you know Me yet?” That is the bottom line question . . . and Answer.