The Part is Not the Whole
A few days ago, we thought about Jesus’ expression of love as he washed his disciples’ feet, how it was a beautiful picture of what he had already done in being born as a man, and what he would do by dying on the cross (John 13). Simon Peter protested, but Jesus response was significant: “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterwards you will understand” (John 13:7). This not only applied to the foot-washing, but to Peter’s whole experience with Jesus, and could also be said to a multitude of other people in the Bible. We only ever get full understanding “afterwards”.
Sinclair points to the experience of Naomi as an example. Her life was marked by the loss of her husband and sons, yet these tragic events led to her daughter-in-law Ruth coming to know the Lord (Ruth 1:16-17). In turn, this led to Ruth’s marriage to Boaz and the birth of their son, Obed. But Naomi didn’t “know fully” the impact her life would have: she never read the end of the book of Ruth, which revealed that Obed was to be the grandfather of David, Israel’s greatest king. And of course, we know now that, through David, God was getting things ready for Jesus.
Sinclair writes, “What the Lord said to Peter he could have said to … Naomi: ‘What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterwards you will understand.’ … The same is true for us, as Paul says here: ‘Now I know in part; then I shall know fully’ (1 Corinthians 13:12). Perhaps, as you look back at the end of another year, you find yourself asking, ‘Lord, what are you doing?’ It might be that you can see glimpses of the good that he is doing—you know his purposes ‘in part’. But take comfort in the thought that one day, when you look back on your life from the vantage point of eternity, you will know fully. You will at last see the details of your life in the context of God’s great narrative.”
But there is something else in this verse we might miss—something which can bring great comfort. We may only partially understand the Lord and his ways, but he knows us completely and perfectly. Paul says, “I have been fully known”; our hearts are laid bare before God. For those trusting in Jesus’ sacrifice on their behalf, this is a source of great encouragement and solace, because we are not only “fully known”, but fully loved.
Today, consider when you have asked, “Lord, what are you doing?” this past year. Why is it a comfort to know that you “have been fully known” by God? Praise God that he has good plans for you, even though you may not know them now, and pray for your heart to rest in the knowledge of his love for you.
Love Came Down at Christmas by Sinclair B. Ferguson (published by The Good Book Company) available to buy at Eden Christian Bookstore or Amazon.