Christians and non-Christians alike need to be on their best behavior in godly living and faithful service to God, especially since Jesus Christ knows us intimately like no other knows us (John 2:23-25). Children and adults typically exhibit better behavior when they know that someone is watching them, when that someone commands their respect or can exact punitive measures. For instance, children sometimes look to see if mom or dad, a teacher, a shopkeeper or a policeman is watching them before they do something they are not supposed to do. Employees often work more efficiently or at least don't pilfer company property when the supervisor or boss is watching. Police presence dissuades people from criminal activity and speeding down the highways. Aware that Jesus knows all (everything past, present, future and each of us, too), we ought to be on our best spiritual behavior. Jesus knows all, and Jesus is watching each of you--and me.

Jesus knows the Father. "While on earth the supernatural knowledge of Jesus was manifested in His knowledge of the Father" (Nichols 25). Jesus Christ knew the Father because the Father had sent Jesus into the world (John 7:29). Knowing the Father intimately, Jesus was able to show the Father to mankind, who otherwise could not know the Father (Matthew 11:27; John 8:38). The knowledge and wisdom of Jesus Christ was noticeably superior to mere human knowledge and wisdom (Matthew 13:54).

Jesus knows the past. The personal knowledge of Jesus Christ predates Abraham (John 8:58). Jesus had an intimate relationship with Moses and Elijah that he could effortlessly converse with them (Matthew 17:1-5). Jesus amazed Nathaniel by displaying knowledge of an event in his past (John 1:48). Jesus Christ astonished the Samaritan woman at the well by exhibiting knowledge that she had been married four times and that she was an adulteress with the man with whom she was living then (John 4:16-18). Jesus knows the past, including your past and mine!

Jesus knows the present. Jesus forcefully told people contemporary with him in his earthly ministry: "But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you" (John 5:42). Jesus knew where there was a large school of fish, all without the help of some modern contraption called an electronic fish finder (Luke 5:4-7). Jesus Christ knows those who are his faithful disciples--and those who are not (2 Timothy 2:19). Consequently, Jesus only hears the prayers of the righteous (1 Peter 3:12).

Jesus knows the future. Jesus knew that a certain man would permit his disciples and him to use an upper room for observance of the Passover and institution of the Lord's Supper (Luke 22:10-12). Jesus knew that Peter would catch a fish in the mouth of which was sufficient money to pay taxes for Jesus and Peter (Matthew 17:27). Jesus foreknew that he would be betrayed  by one of his twelve disciples (Judas) (John 6:64, 70-71; 13:11). Jesus knew that Peter would deny him three times before a rooster crowed (Matthew 26:34, 75). Jesus knew that the apostle John would live to be an old man, though some of the other apostles and disciples plus Jesus Christ himself suffered persecutions resulting in their deaths (Matthew 27:50; John 19:33; Acts 7:58-60; 12:1-2). The prophecies of Jesus Christ that came to pass are many more than these few cited here. "Each predictive prophecy demonstrates that Jesus knows the future!" (Nichols 25).

Jesus knows our hearts. Jesus Christ searches the hearts of men (Revelation 2:23; Mark 2:8). Jesus Christ was able to look into the hearts of his twelve disciples as they wrangled among themselves who would be the greatest in the kingdom (Luke 9:46-48). Consequently, Jesus Christ knows when you or I have evil in our hearts (Matthew 9:4). Certainly not our deeds or works and not even our thoughts are hidden from Jesus Christ (Matthew 12:25; Luke 6:8; 11:16-17). Jesus is watching our behavior, and he is monitoring our thoughts, too!

The supernatural knowledge of Jesus Christ is apparent. The supernatural knowledge of Jesus Christ includes intimate knowledge of each of you--and me. Essentially, Jesus is watching! That should inspire each of us to be on our best spiritual behavior--in godly living and Christian service. "Awareness that Jesus knows us 'through and through' is a powerful stimulus to motivate us, collectively, and as individuals, to lovingly and sincerely 'walk in the light' (I John 1:7) so that we constantly will have Christ's approval. How can any child of God be unfaithful to Christ, while he recognizes-and fully believes!-that Jesus knows what is in man?" (Nichols 26). Borrowing language from 2 Peter 3:11, with the apostle Peter, we exhort: "Seeing then all these things...what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation [conduct NKJV] and godliness."

With the apostle Paul, we urge: "The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity" (2 Timothy 2:19). Initially, one departs from "iniquity" or sin by becoming a child of God, a Christian (1 Peter 3:21; 4:16). A Christian departs from "iniquity" or sin by walking in the Christian light and repenting of sin on those occasions when our Christian walk is marred by sin (1 John 1:7, 9). What does Jesus know about you; are you in a saved condition, or are you lost right now? Jesus knows our hearts and our works (Acts 1:24; Revelation 2:2, 9, 13, 19; 3:1, 8, 15).

Nichols, Flavil. "For He Himself Knew What Was in Man." Spiritual Sword 18.3 (1987): 25-26. [Adapted from brother Nichols' article.]