“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.’” – John 14:6-7

As Christians we know that we were created in the image and likeness of God. We know that God is our Heavenly Father who loves us. We know that God is the creator and author of all life. We know all of these things to be true. But in today’s scripture, Jesus gives us the best description we have about God. Jesus says, quite plainly, “If you know me, you will know my Father as well.” So here from the spoken and recorded words of God Himself – that is Jesus – we learn that to truly know God we must know Christ Jesus. This is why scripture is such a crucial part of Christianity. The Apostles lived and walked with Jesus. They were taught by Jesus, and they saw the death and resurrection of Jesus. They had a deep personal connection to Christ as a man that actually walked the Earth. They witnessed the miracles and healing of the sick. They didn’t need to rely on second hand information or circumstantial evidence, because they were there with Jesus. Today, we understand that Jesus is the Messiah, “the way and the truth and the life.” We know that no one walks through the gates of heaven without first experiencing the saving power of Jesus. But all that we know about Jesus comes from the bible. So a belief in God is good, having the lifesaving faith in Jesus Christ is great. But truly knowing your savior and having a personal relationship with the God of all creation is the best. Knowing Jesus is knowing God, and allowing the Holy Spirit to work within us through knowing the bible is only way to answer if “you really” know Jesus.