But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, and because He had no need that anyone bear witness concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man.
John 2:24–25, LSB
A common goal in modern Christianity is to have a personal relationship with Jesus. The great question is, “What does this mean?” How do we have a personal relationship with Jesus? Can we truly? Jesus loved His disciples and gave fully of Himself to them. Yet, one betrayed Him, all of them scattered, and one of His best friends denied knowing Him three times. Our hearts betray us and so do friends. God does not. God loves us despite our weaknesses. He didn’t abandon those who abandoned Him, but He put His Will into their hearts and wrote His Word into the depths of their souls. Jesus is the one who claims us, and it is to His will we are called to submit. It isn’t a partnership nor is it truly a friendship, it is a lordship. We are called to place our Lord on the throne and set Him as the ruler of our lives. This is where humanity often betrays our Lord because we desire to see Him as a friend, and we have difficulty submitting to a lord. Yes, Jesus’ Lordship is different from any other, but it is a Lordship just the same. Man’s heart wants to live as the master, not the servant, yet that is our calling. For us to best know Christ, He calls us first to know our sinful selves and submit that to Him. In this we find Truth and in Christ, we find our peace.
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.