Things Unseen with Sinclair B. Ferguson

Episode Title: Knowing Jesus
Date: November 24, 2025
Host: Sinclair B. Ferguson (Ligonier Ministries)

Episode Overview

In this devotional episode, Sinclair B. Ferguson reflects on the central question of what it means to truly "know" Jesus Christ. Using relatable analogies and biblical references, he explores the nature of personal knowledge—both of people in general and of Christ in particular—and emphasizes the New Testament's role as the primary means through which Christians deepen their understanding and relationship with Jesus.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. What Does It Mean to Really Know Someone?

• Ferguson opens by probing the layered meaning behind the question "Who are you?"
  • Names, occupations, and even close relationships provide only partial knowledge of a person.
  • Our understanding and knowledge of others—even dearest friends—always have room to grow.

Memorable Quote:
"Even in the case of the person we know best, there's still so much to know about them, our knowledge can grow." — [01:58]

2. How Does This Apply to Knowing Jesus?

• The same limitations and possibilities for growth apply to knowing Christ.
• Ferguson clarifies that knowing Christ is not the totality of the Gospel, which is about God and the Trinity, but that knowing Christ is at its very heart.
  • Scriptural grounding:
    • Ephesians 2:18—Accessing God the Father through Christ by the Spirit.
    • Jesus’ teaching: "No one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him." ([Matthew 11:27])
  • Knowing Christ also means resting in Him, referencing Jesus’ invitation to the weary (Matthew 11:28).

Notable Quote:
"Knowing Jesus Christ means resting in Jesus Christ." — [04:39]

John 17 reference:

• Jesus defines eternal life as knowing God and Jesus Christ whom He sent.

3. How Can We Get to Know Jesus?

• Ferguson emphasizes one main point:
  • The New Testament exists primarily to help believers know Jesus.
    • This purpose comes directly from Jesus’ own instructions to His apostles before the crucifixion (the Upper Room Discourse).
  • Through the Holy Spirit, the apostles would:
    • Remember Jesus’ teachings
    • Be led into all truth about Him
    • Be shown things yet to come ([John 14:26; 16:13–14])
  • The structure of the New Testament reflects this:
    • Gospels: Teachings and actions of Jesus
    • Acts: The Spirit leading into the truth
    • Epistles: Expansion of that truth
    • Revelation (and similar writings): Things that are still to come

Key Quote:
"If you think about it, that's an amazing summary of the whole of the New Testament, isn't it? The Gospels tell us what Jesus taught by word and deed. The Acts records how the Spirit led them into the truth, and the letters expound that truth. And the Book of Revelation... tells us the things that are still to come." — [07:16]

4. The Practical Answer: Read the New Testament

• The answer to “How do I get to know Jesus?” is persistent engagement with the New Testament.
  • Repeated reading brings greater personal knowledge of Christ.
  • Ferguson closes by noting this is not the same as knowing Jesus himself, but reading is the pathway to meeting the author behind the book.

Closing Encouragement:
"Of course, knowing the New Testament isn't the same thing as knowing Jesus. But you can't get to know the author without reading his book." — [08:08]

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On the nature of knowing someone:
  "Even in the case of the person we know best, there's still so much to know about them, our knowledge can grow." — Ferguson [01:58]

• On the heart of the gospel:
  "Knowing Jesus Christ means resting in Jesus Christ." — Ferguson [04:39]

• On the New Testament’s purpose:
  "If you think about it, that's an amazing summary of the whole of the New Testament, isn't it? The Gospels tell us what Jesus taught by word and deed. The Acts records how the Spirit led them into the truth, and the letters expound that truth. And the Book of Revelation... tells us the things that are still to come." — Ferguson [07:16]

• On engaging with scripture:
  "You can't get to know the author without reading his book." — Ferguson [08:08]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:08–02:07 — Exploring what it means to truly “know” someone
• 02:08–05:20 — Applying the question to Jesus: relationship, rest, and gospel centrality
• 05:21–07:36 — Jesus’ instructions to the apostles and how the New Testament is structured to help us know Him
• 07:37–08:45 — The practical takeaway: persistent reading of the New Testament as a pathway to knowing Jesus

Episode Tone

Ferguson’s tone is reflective, warm, and inviting, guiding listeners thoughtfully through scriptural wisdom. He poses questions gently but insightfully, encouraging personal reflection and deeper spiritual pursuit.

Summary

Sinclair B. Ferguson begins a week exploring the theme of knowing Jesus by discussing how knowledge of people always has room to deepen—and the same is true (even more so) with Christ. He traces how the New Testament was designed to facilitate our personal knowledge of Jesus, through the work of the Holy Spirit and the testimony of the apostles. His core encouragement: to truly know Jesus, believers must read, and reread, the New Testament—not because the words alone suffice, but because “you can’t get to know the author without reading his book.” He sets the stage for further exploration of this foundational truth in the days ahead.