There is an Arab proverb that can help in sorting people into four different categories – those who don’t know and do not know that they don’t know, those who don’t know and know they don’t know, those who know but don’t know that they know, and those who know and know that they know. You are not to respond to these groups the same way. The proverb has a recommendation on how to relate to each one accordingly. Here are the recommendations: 1 He that knows not and knows not that he knows not; He is a fool – shun him! 2 He that knows not and knows that he knows not; he is simple – teach him! 3 He that knows and knows not that he knows; he is asleep – wake him! 4 He that knows and knows that he knows; he is a wise man – follow him! Following the wisdom in this proverb will save anyone from spending time on the undeserving.

If we know someone who knows and knows that he knows but refuse to follow him, that will be arrogance and folly. It is foolhardy to reject Jesus’ offer, because no one knows like Him.

Jesus perfectly fits the bill when it comes to the fourth category. He knows and knows that He knows. Study His teaching, you will find that there is no equivocation. He declared where He came from, what He came to do, where He was going, and scores of other things. In our text, He spoke expressly that He is the way, the truth and the life. Smarting from the Arab proverb, Jesus is the one to be followed. He is the light of the world; there is no occasion for stumbling for those who follow Him. For a final consideration today, we can put a spin on that proverb. If we know someone who knows and knows that he knows but refuse to follow him, that will be arrogance and folly. It is foolhardy to reject Jesus’ offer, because no one knows like Him.