The Surpassing Greatness of Knowing Christ … Intimacy

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him…

Philippians 3:7-9

Profit—loss; rubbish—gain. Surpassing greatness. Paul has a way with superlatives. If you knew him in his Pharisaic fervor, you’d have been impressed with his pedigree. But look at him here, under house arrest in Rome, chained to the palace guard (Philippians 1:13), nevertheless content (Philippians 4:11).

Actually more than content, except for that type A personality of his. Fortunately his passion was now directed towards Jesus, not against Him. What’s more, Paul wanted his friends in Philippi to be just as intimate with Christ as he was.

Our first glimpse of Saul (Paul) was at the stoning of Stephen, giving approval to his death (Acts 8:1). Things then went from bad to worse. He was on his way to Damascus to take prisoners, breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples…(when) suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him (Acts 9:1-3).

Paul had merely known who Jesus was until Christ called his name. The questions flew: “Saul, Saul; why do you persecute me?” “Who are you Lord?” “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” (Acts 9:4-5). He would never be the same again. Intimacy began with his knowing Christ Jesus as Lord, as it does for you and for me.

However, being on a first name basis with Christ is merely the beginning. Paul’s desire was for everyone to gain Christ and be found in him. Peterson’s translation paints a poignant picture: I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him (Philippians 3:8-9 MSG).

In the next breath, why stop with an occasional embrace says Paul: I want to know Christ (Philippians 3:10). The Greek explains: “to know” here is an ongoing, increasing, incremental, absolute intimacy with our Lord. Surpassing greatness!

Lord, that is what I want. Not only to know you as Lord, but also to be embraced by you, to understand such intimacy in Your presence as Paul felt, to never be the same!

Nancy P