May 8

Morning

But the man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away while the crowd was there. — John 5:13 BSB

For the happy and healthy, years seem short, but thirty-eight years of sickness must have been an unbearably long stretch for the paralyzed man at the pool of Bethesda. So, when Jesus healed him with just a word, the man was joyfully aware of the great change in his life. In the same way, the sinner who has been weighed down by despair, longing for salvation, is acutely aware when the Lord Jesus speaks peace and joy into their heart through faith. The burden lifted is too heavy to go unnoticed, the new life received is too powerful to remain dormant, and the transformation is too great not to be felt.

Yet, the healed man did not know who had cured him. He did not fully understand who Jesus was, the roles He fulfilled, or the mission that had brought Him to earth. Similarly, many who experience the power of Jesus’ blood may still have a limited understanding of who He is. We should be slow to judge those who lack knowledge, for where we see saving faith, we can trust that salvation has been given. The Holy Spirit makes people penitents long before they become theologians, and those who believe what they know will soon know more about what they believe.

Ignorance, however, is still a weakness. The healed man was questioned by the Pharisees and was not able to answer them well. It is good to be able to defend our faith, but that requires knowing Jesus with clarity and understanding. Thankfully, ignorance can be remedied, just as the man’s physical infirmity was. After his healing, Jesus found him in the temple and revealed Himself more fully to him, and the man began to testify, “It was Jesus who made me whole.” Lord, if You have saved me, reveal Yourself to me so that I may declare You to others.

Evening

Reconcile now and be at peace with Him; thereby good will come to you. — Job 22:21 BSB

If we are to truly “acquaint ourselves with God and be at peace,” we must know Him as He has revealed Himself. We should not be content until we have a true understanding of the God who created us.

First, strive to know the Father. Bury your head in His bosom in deep repentance, acknowledging that you are unworthy to be called His child. Receive the kiss of His love, accept the ring of His faithfulness, and sit at His table, rejoicing in His grace.

Next, seek to know the Son of God, who is the brightness of the Father’s glory and who, in His grace, became man for our sake. Know Him in the beautiful complexity of His nature: eternal God and yet human, suffering man. Follow Him as He walks on water with divine power and sits at the well in human weariness. Do not rest until you know Jesus as your Friend, Brother, Husband, and All in all.

Finally, do not forget the Holy Spirit. Pursue a clear understanding of His nature, attributes, and works. Behold the Spirit who brought order to chaos in the beginning and now brings order to the chaos of your soul. He is the Lord and giver of life, the One who enlightens, teaches, comforts, and sanctifies. See Him as the holy anointing oil that was poured on the head of Jesus and now flows to you, His body.

To know God in this personal, scriptural, and experiential way—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—is to find true peace.