Articles
"He Knew What Was in Man"
One of the remarkable evidences of Jesus’ uniqueness was His ability to know people’s hearts. He did not, as we sometimes do, “put two and two together” and draw a reasonable conclusion. He knew. John observed, “. . . He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man” (John 2:25).
When Philip brought Nathaniel to Jesus, the Lord said to him, “Behold, an Israelite in deed, in whom there is no deceit.” Nathaniel was stunned; how did Jesus know him? Jesus answered, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathaniel, who initially had been skeptical, exclaimed, “Rabbi you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel” (John 1:45-49).
Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well, “Go call your husband and come here.” She said she had no husband. Jesus responded, “You have correctly said, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this you have said truly.” The woman concluded, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet” (John 4:16-19). She told her fellow-townspeople, “Come, see a man who told me all things that I have done; this is not the Christ, is it?” (v. 29).
When Jesus healed a paralyzed man by telling him his sins were forgiven, some of the scribes sitting nearby reasoned in their hearts that Jesus was blaspheming, taking to himself a prerogative that belonged only to God. Jesus asked them, “Why are you reasoning about these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven’; or to say, ‘Get up, and pick up your pallet and walk’?” Seeing the miracle and listening to Jesus expose the scribes, those present were amazed, saying, “We have never seen anything like this” (Mark 2:1-12).
Shortly after Jesus’ transfiguration, the disciples arrived at a house in Capernaum where Jesus was. He asked them what they were talking about on the way there. They did not answer because they had been “discussing” which of them was the greatest. Jesus knew that. He said, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” He illustrated His lesson by taking a child in His arms. Greatness is not in titles, positions, and others serving you; it is in caring for others, even little children (Mark 9:33-37).
These are just a few examples. They are one more proof of Jesus’ deity. They are also a reminder that He knows what we are thinking, what we are doing, what our motives are, etc. We cannot hide anything. And in view of His extensive knowledge of us, it should be no surprise when His teaching really “hits home,” being exactly what we need to hear.
