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Present, but Unknown

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 18, 1912

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 29.

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Present, but Unknown

By William Covert

WILLIAM COVERT
UNTO one who was manifesting doubt and asking for an explanation, Jesus said: "Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me?" John 14:9.
Though Philip had been years with Jesus, he had not formed that soul acquaintance with him necessary for real heart fellowship. What was true then in the case of Philip is also true now in the case of many professed Christians. They may have a church-membership of long standing, and yet not know Christ in the inner recesses of their souls. Christ may in a formal way be recognized in their homes, and yet no spirit union be formed, and no warm companionship experienced. Visitors may come into that home, and time may be given them for commercial affairs; and yet Jesus may not sit in their assemblies, because the divine presence is not sought nor welcomed.
And in many professedly Christian homes Jesus does not have so much as a corner in some remote back chamber where he is visited in secret. Of course, he would accept such a room as this if he could not get a better opportunity to make himself known. But how much better it would be if his acquaintance and his counsel were constantly sought! Indeed, every channel of approach should be perpetually open for Jesus to come in and dwell with the whole household. He should be made head of the family and adviser in all their affairs.
The Christian is supposed to be always in company with Jesus, and to go only where Jesus goes, and to stay only where Jesus loves to stay. His contact with Jesus tells him where Jesus would have him go, and also what Jesus would have him do and say.
A knowledge of Jesus should be sought that we may understand his will concerning our work, and may cooperate with him in saving souls from sin and eternal ruin. Jesus does not force his presence on any one who does not want him; but when it comes to the matter of working to save souls, he says, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." This soul-winning promise Jesus made to his disciples after his resurrection from the dead, and it is similar to the promise he made to Moses when the children of Israel were to be led on their way to the promised land. God said to Moses then, "My presence shall go with thee."
Any one who knows Jesus can testify he is always ready to lead a soul-winner into an engagement where there is a chance to save a sinner. But comparatively few seem to know how anxious Jesus is to save souls from sin. If we could enter into his feeling regarding the condition of perishing souls, we should know him better than we do. The only object of his mission into our world was to save sinners. And he who knows most about Jesus is one who has labored with Jesus in saving lost men from their sins.
Suppose we study the sacrifice he has made to save sinners, and then let his divine compassion for these poor souls who are dying without hope, enter into our own souls; we shall then know him far better than before the experience. What think you would be our emotions if we could see enacted his sufferings in Gethsemane and on Calvary? Should we not then understand him better than we now do? But is there not a way of letting his heart throb against our bosoms until we do know more about his deep yearning over the souls he died to save?
Could we but see as Jesus sees, a thousand million souls trying to pierce the darkness of the future, and yet without a lamp to light the way, should we not wish to hold up the lamp of life to let them see? Could we be touched with the feelings of their infirmities as Jesus is touched, would not our burden for their salvation be greatly enlarged? Would not our knowledge of Jesus become more real, and our fellowship be made sweeter? Let us try in our minds to stand where Jesus stands, and with the eyes of our hearts to see what Jesus sees of the sinner's need, and then see if we do not know him better than we have known him before.
Chicago, Ill.