Many people seek to know Jesus through His earthly ministry, popular religious ideas, or moral example. But Paul points us to how we know Christ today — through His resurrection, through the revelation He gave after His resurrection, and through the gospel of grace entrusted to the Body of Christ.
Good morning. Today’s Bible verse is Philippians 3:10: “…that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death…”
What did Paul mean when he expressed his desire to know Jesus Christ and the power of His resurrection?
In the previous verses of Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he dismissed all his worldly knowledge and so‑called wisdom as worthless.
He counted his religious achievements, his heritage, and his self‑effort as loss.
In today’s verse, he emphasizes his longing to know Jesus Christ more deeply — especially in His post‑resurrection identity.
Jesus of Nazareth served Israel during His earthly ministry, presenting Himself as Messiah and King.
But after His resurrection, Jesus Christ revealed Himself in a new way — commissioning Paul to bring the gospel of grace to the Gentiles.
This is how we know Christ today.
Not through His earthly ministry to Israel.
Not through moral example.
Not through popular religious language or human philosophy.
We know Him in His resurrection, in His finished work, and through the revelation given to Paul for the Body of Christ.
The gospel of grace offers freedom from the guilt and bondage of sin.
It frees us from the Law as a system of righteousness.
It declares that all who believe the gospel are identified with Christ in His death and resurrection.
When Jesus died, we who believe died with Him.
When He was raised, we were raised with Him.
And now that He lives, we who are members of His Body live in righteousness and resurrection power.
The same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead is at work in us through the ministry of God the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, dear brothers and sisters,
Let us seek to know Christ in His post‑resurrection ministry.
We should rely on the guidance and strength of the Holy Spirit.
Let us rest in our identity as members of the Body of Christ — secure, accepted, and strengthened by grace.
Do not return to guilt, to striving, or to the works of the Law.
Do not seek Jesus through earthly ministry or human philosophy.
Know Him in His resurrection.
Know Him in His grace.
Know Him through the revelation He entrusted to Paul.
For in that truth, we find freedom, assurance, and strength to live in Christ by grace.
The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Philippians 3:10.
Meditation:
Holy Spirit, teach me to know Christ in His resurrection power. Steady my heart in the gospel of grace. Help me rest in my identity in Him, and strengthen me to walk by the life You provide.
Reflection Question:
Where do you need to shift from knowing about Jesus to knowing Him through His resurrection and the gospel of grace?