Know your Jesus

How do you know your Jesus? Is he close? Is he far away?

I spend nine months out of the year being a teacher. There is an amazing social breeding ground called high school cafeteria. There you can be a modern anthropologist. Just sit back and look at the teens as they interact. Everyone at my school knows each other on some level. We are a small rural Iowa school. But there are a variety of levels of familiarity. I have narrowed them down to three types.

Acquaintance: An acquaintance is someone that you know my name. You aren't necessarily friendly or unfriendly. You are just there. You see each other in the halls. You eat at different tables. You hang in different circles. You live different, separate lives. You only know that person on a superficial level. You are acquaintances.

Casual Friend: A casual friend you know much better than an acquaintance. You see them all the time. You know who they are and what they are all about. They sit at your table at lunch. You aren't afraid to call on them if you need a favor (like copying their math homework). You are proud to call them your friend.

Best Friend: If you are lucky you may have one or two people that are so much more than just a friend. They are a part of you. You tell them everything and its like your hearts beat together. You finish each other’s sentences and truly love each other. You don't just call on them for help; you would gladly give up your life for them. They are your soul mate, your bosom buddy, you partner, your companion. You life wouldn't be the same without the love and daily support of this kind of close friend.

So my question is this: How do you know Jesus? What kind of relationship do you have? Are you just an acquaintance? Do you just know him by name? Are you just passing by him on your daily routine life and never pausing to get to know who he is and what he is about?

Or maybe Jesus is your friend. Maybe you've grown up in the church, you've done everything you are supposed to. You know the creed and the Ten Commandments. You know the rhyme and meter of your church liturgy. But you are no closer than that. You only go to him when you need something, a personal favor. Is that your level of communion with the Living Lord?

I purpose friends, that there is a much deeper kind of relationship. Jesus Christ is calling you to be so much more. He wants to share your life with you. He wants to be there for your highs and lows. He wants into your heart. This transforming process only happens when we stop following the box-in gods of man and seek him like you would a friend. This isn’t about ritual or religion. This is about a relationship with a Living Lord.

It’s easy to start seeking him personally. Go to him in prayer. Pick up his book and start reading. I recommend the Gospel of John starting at the first chapter. Seek him and learn who he really is… not what others are telling you he must be… but seek him on a one to one basis. Don’t delay. The Master is calling.