They Were “With Him”
Let's turn to Luke 8 this week, where we read “Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna, and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.”
Not Just Thinking Of Him
Now, let's focus on that phrase at the beginning that said, “The Twelve were with him and also some women.” They were with him. Are you “with” Jesus? Are you living your life “with him”? Are you walking the road with him and sticking close to him, enjoying close fellowship and friendship with Jesus?
I think there's a difference between being “with” him and just thinking “of” him. Usually you think of somebody when they're not with you, and so they’re a thought more than a reality, than a present reality.
And many of us Christians fall into this way of living without realizing it. We treat God as if he's far off and we think a lot about him and we speak a lot about him without realizing that he's close - without going with him.
One of my favorite worship songs is “Draw Me Close”, which says “draw me close to you, never let me go”. And so the Christian life is not gazing at God who is far away, but it is being with him.
The Effects of Being With Him
Friends, we need to go through our day to day with him, close to him, believing in faith that he's right here, as close as the air that we are breathing. And when we get this, when we realize that he's close there is power, there is anointing, there is joy, there is peace.
Know that he is near, friends, and know that because he's near, you can get through the day well! You can get through the day doing what he wants you to do. You don't have to try conjure up his power, but you just need to believe that it's already there because he's with you, he is with you, he's with you! Go into your day and don't forget to go with him and enjoy his closeness.
