John 14:9 New International Version (NIV)
9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even
after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen
the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
These words were not spoken as a rebuke, nor even with
surprise; Jesus was encouraging Philip to draw closer. Yet the last person we
get intimate with is Jesus. Before Pentecost the disciples knew Jesus as the
One who gave them power to conquer demons and to bring about a revival
(see Luke 10:18-20). It was a wonderful intimacy, but there was a much
closer intimacy to come: “…I have called you friends…” (John 15:15). True
friendship is rare on earth. It means identifying with someone in thought,
heart, and spirit. The whole experience of life is designed to enable us to
enter into this closest relationship with Jesus Christ. We receive His
blessings and know His Word, but do we really know Him?
Jesus said, “It is to your advantage that I go away…” (John
16:7). He left that relationship to lead them even closer. It is a joy to Jesus
when a disciple takes time to walk more intimately with Him. The bearing of
fruit is always shown in Scripture to be the visible result of an intimate
relationship with Jesus Christ (see John 15:1-4).
Once we get intimate with Jesus we are never lonely and we
never lack for understanding or compassion. We can continually pour out our
hearts to Him without being perceived as overly emotional or pitiful. The
Christian who is truly intimate with Jesus will never draw attention to himself
but will only show the evidence of a life where Jesus is completely in control.
This is the outcome of allowing Jesus to satisfy every area of life to its
depth. The picture resulting from such a life is that of the strong, calm
balance that our Lord gives to those who are intimate with Him.
Thought for today:
Am I a representation of the word?
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