He Himself Knew
When problems arise and we feel unable to meet them, it is a good thing to recall John 6:6-"He himself knew." Certainly in John 6 need had arisen, for "A great multitude followed Him." According to verse 10 about 5,000-and Matthew adds "besides women and children." There He took control-"For He Himself knew what He would do." But Philip suggests that two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient. Andrew comes in with, "There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes" and adds "but what are they among so many?" At this point in the story the Lord Jesus gave directions, "Make the men sit down." How beautiful the remark, "Now there was much grass in the place." The lad, evidently, was willing to hand over to Jesus what he had, and when Jesus had given thanks He distributed to the company. Verse 12, "When they were filled" brings into evidence the sufficiency of the One who "Knew what He would do." He more than meets the need!
Again, in the touching scene of John 13, relative to feet washing, we have the expression "Jesus knew." verse 1. He "knew that His hour was come that He should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end." His desire for them and for us was that we should enter into the joy of having "part with Him," entirely free from the defiling influence of this ungodly world, so that we might know and enjoy His blessed company, and the holy communications He imparts. Fellowship with the Father and the Son is how John puts it in his first epistle, surely, the essence of eternal life.
Once more, in John 18:4, we have the thought of Jesus knowing. There because "Jesus Himself knew" He goes calmly forth to meet those who had been sent to take Him, he said "Whom seek ye"; they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus replied "I am" and "they went backward, and fell to the ground." Again He asks and again they reply "Jesus of Nazareth." Again the Lord replies, "I am [he], if therefore ye seek me let these go their way." Of those whom the Father gave to Him He would lose none. Surely, John 10:11, giveth His life for the sheep" comes in here? In this gospel we see the filling out of Genesis 22:8, "They went both of them together." How well the true Isaac knew, as witness His converse with the Father, "I have glorified Thee on the earth, I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do" (John 17:4). What immense depth is to be found in that, seemingly, simple expression, which heads this paper-"He Himself knew." What comfort to the anxious heart; what joy to the adoring heart, that in spite of knowing all, He "For the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2).
