Be Known in Him

"Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out,

"Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from"

John 7:28

He modeled throughout the Gospel of John the formation of relationships, especially the formation of a relationship with Him. The formation of relationships with others. The beginning of a relationship with the Father. And yet, even with knowing Him, they [the people in His time] still behave in such a way that would signify that they really do not know Him at all. You may find yourself in a similar experience related to depression and anxiety. Questions might arise such as: do you really know a person, when they are showing signs of depression and anxiety or do you really know a person, when they respond to someone or something poorly because of depression and anxiety.

Being known and understood is a feeling that many desire to have. As humans, you are a relational being and you want to form relationships. Depression and anxiety may at times keep this from happening. The symptoms and side effects of depression and anxiety may hinder the formation or maintenance of relationships with others. You might even struggle to have a relationship with yourself. And it is even possible, that you may struggle to have a relationship with Him. The way that relationships begin is through interactions, through common experiences, through sharing, and sometimes just being present. In John chapter 7 you read about the confusion and division that people have over Jesus. This division coming in the form of "He is who He says He is," and "He is not."

"Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, "Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from" (John 7:28). This crying out is so powerful. In scripture you read that Jesus, "says," "tells," "told," "spoke," "answered," etc. And here He cries out. You might imagine Him being in such pain that His only option is to cry out; that those around Him might hear Him. Throughout John He has been showing people time and time again who He is. Throughout John He has been revealing Himself to people who are now showing how divided they are. The people wanted answers; answers to things that they has already been told. And there was still so much questioning and confusion. Even when people who are close to you cry out that they are more than their depression and anxiety: Are they heard? Are they known? Even when people who are close to you cry out that they are hurting from their experiences of depression and anxiety: Are they heard? Are they known? Or like in this setting where Jesus "cried out" has the personal close to you (or maybe even you) been showing themselves to you and others but no one is hearing them, seeing them, understanding them, knowing them?

The question about if you really know a person, when they respond to someone or something poorly because of depression and anxiety. This is both the one experiencing the symptoms of depression and anxiety, and the one observing this in their family or friend. Remember, John 7:24 reads: Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly. He was talking about people who judged healing on the Sabbath vs. a boy being circumcised on the sabbath (John 7: 23). And this even speaks to the experiences of depression and anxiety. The judgement based on appearance rather than correctly judging. Seeing the symptoms of depression and anxiety unfolding and labeling it: lazy, chaotic, inconsistent, unreliable, etc. Remember that only He knows what is truly happening in all things, within your heart, and behind closed doors. And how this judgement, this judgement that is based on appearance and done incorrectly, leads to changes and shifts in relationships. It is seen in John chapter 7 by how people struggled to accept Him because of their false judgement. Even though they knew Him, they questioned it. And even though He showed them who He is, they could not see past the false judgement. Depression and anxiety create a smoke screen that may lead to this false judgement. Remember that He is and is who He says He is because of everything He has done as evidence for Him. It is this same evidence that should be the judge, to be judged correctly, of those who's appearance may be changed by depression and anxiety.

Scripture:

John 7

John 7:28

John 7:24

John 7:23

Reflection:

How does depression and anxiety change the perspective of the people around you?

Have you experienced what He experienced, showing people who you are and they still do not know you?

How have you tried to show others the true you?

How do you respond to other people's "smoke screen?"

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, you have taught me to love others the way that you have loved me. You have called me to be a reflection of your love. Lord, I pray for those who are misunderstood by their depression and anxiety. I pray for those who are misunderstanding. I know that you know the truth. Lord I ask that the judgement of others on appearance be decreased so that truth and understanding can be the guiding of relationships. I pray that the wrongly judged are set free from these judgements. I pray that we come to know one another as who each of us is through you. Lord I am here with gratitude for the sending of your son for the sins of the world. I am here with gratitude for the reminder that He went through so much as He went to the cross. And these teachings continue to show me how to be in your presence. Thank you for these reminders. And thank you for sending your son. May the healing of others begin with your word. Amen.