The Attributes of Jesus: Omnisicience

The fact that Jesus is all-knowing is beyond our comprehension. This attribute about Him can be comforting and haunting at the same time. We love the idea that He knows our inner most needs. He knows when we feel lonely, confused, joyful, happy, angry, and sad. He knows us inside and out. He knows our hearts and the hearts of others. He knows the true reason someone harms another and the true reason someone is nice to another. He knows our thoughts before we even speak them.

How does that make you feel?

Sometimes our thoughts aren’t always the best. Yikes! I don’t know if I like the fact that Jesus knows what I’m always thinking. But on the other hand, it is so freeing that He knows what I’m always thinking. He holds me accountable for my own thoughts.

The omniscience of Jesus is demonstrated in His knowing everyone’s hearts and thoughts. God gave much wisdom and knowledge to many prophets before Jesus was born, but Jesus had much more than mere wisdom and knowledge. In John 6:64 Jesus says, “But there are some of you who do not believe.’ (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.)” This implies that He knows the belief and unbelief that is in the hearts of all men and women.

When Jesus explains to His disciples in John 16 that He has overcome the world, John says, “Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.” Jesus’ omniscience proves that He was more than a prophet. There has never been a prophet that knew the hearts and thoughts of man.

“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ He said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ Jesus said to him a second time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ He said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’ Jesus said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and he said to Him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.” John 21:15-17

Peter ends Jesus’ third question with simply saying, “Jesus, you know everything! Why do you keep asking me the same question over and over?” Peter is confident in the fact that Jesus knows what is in the heart of every person, so he is sure He knows his heart, feelings, and thoughts.

We may ask the question, “If Jesus knows everything, why do I need to pray to Him?” Our prayers not only establish and ground our relationship with Christ, but they also validate our belief in who He is, what He is doing, and what He will do. Yes, Jesus knows our thoughts and needs before we express them to Him, but when we bring them to Him we are surrendering our control over our circumstances and needs.

When we don’t have the words to say, we can be confident that Jesus knows our thoughts. When we intend to do good and the world destroys our good, Jesus knows our hearts. When we are embarrassed to voice our needs, Jesus provides. When we are angry because we were wronged and hurt, Jesus brings justice.

We are His children and He knows every part of us. He created us and knew us before we were formed. Don’t let the fact that Jesus is all-knowing scare you. Allow it to fill you with joy because the One who loves you unconditionally knows you despite your many downfalls you try to keep secret. Allow Him to mold your heart to His will and rest in His omniscient power.

Digging Deeper:

Read the story of Nathanael being called by Jesus.

Where is your heart this Christmas season? How do you feel about the fact that Jesus is all-knowing?

Nathanael struggled with doubt until Jesus revealed His omniscience to him. How do you struggle with doubt?

How can you rest in Jesus’ omniscience?