Focal passage: Matthew 7:13-21, 24-27
Stephen Curry, the point guard for the defending NBA championship Golden State Warriors, is in the midst of one of the greatest seasons in professional basketball history. Last season he set the record for three-pointers made in a season with 286. This season he is on pace to blister that record with a projected 326 shots from behind the arc. He played college basketball at Davidson College in Davidson, N.C., where he attended a Bible study with some friends of mine, which makes his historic run all the more entertaining for me to watch.
What does all of this information about Curry have to do with the conclusion of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount? In the midst of Jesus’ invitation, he gives one of the most horrifying warnings in all of scripture.
He says that on judgment day many people who have performed many religious acts will be rejected because He never knew them.
I can tell you a lot of information about Curry. I can quote stats and tell you about mutual acquaintances, but if you approach the basketball star and ask him about me, he will have no idea who you are talking about. He does not know me.
In this warning, Jesus says that many people may know His “stats” as recorded in His Word. Many may have friends who know Him. Many may have done religious deeds, yet on judgment day many will find out Jesus never knew them.
Knowing about Jesus is not the same thing as knowing Jesus.
Jesus concluded his sermon, not by turning down the lights and playing a powerful song so as to create an emotional moment, but instead by making it crystal clear that He is the one narrow way to enter the kingdom of heaven. He must know you.
Going to church, doing religious acts and knowing a lot about Jesus is not the same thing as knowing Jesus. Repenting of your sin and trusting in Christ alone is the only way to know and be known by Jesus. Therefore the most important question you could possibly answer is, “Does Jesus know you?”