Intimacy
I wanna know You
Not just about You
I wanna be with You
Not just around You
I wanna love You
Not just be loved by You
I wanna walk with You
“Walk With You” by Michael Bethany
“Lord, teach us to pray…” (Luke 11) This is what the disciples asked of Jesus after having seen Him teach sermons, show unmerited compassion, challenge the Pharisees, heal the sick, and so much more. Among all of these, they took note of how Jesus knew His Father intimately. Before the teaching of what is now famously coined “The Lord’s Prayer”, I imagine the disciples’ prayer life consisted mostly of obligation, and little nuance.
Prayer three times a day is Jewish tradition, and the times are meant to resemble when sacrifices were presented to the Jerusalem Temple. Tradition provides a good foundation, and Jesus adhered to these rhythms, but the disciples witnessed that there was more to Jesus’ communion with God the Father than mere routine.
Jesus met with His Father constantly, and His commitment in doing so directly impacted His ministry. Jesus did not just know about His Father. He knew His Father. Jesus did not settle for merely being around His Father, but longed for close proximity with Him. (After all, they have shared glory since the beginning of time. John 17:5) And it was clear that Jesus was not just loved by His Father, but He loved His Father back.
When considering the differences between Mary and Martha in the Gospel of Luke, it is obvious that Martha knew enough about Jesus to acknowledge He needed to be served. The desire to act on that was not bad, in and of itself, but Mary was wise enough to recognize that there was nothing she could give Jesus that would be enough in that moment. However, sitting at His feet and listening to His teaching would equip her to serve God for life far more than scrambling for a moment. (Luke 10:38-42)
Jesus calls this “the good portion.” Mary chose to be with Jesus, not just around Him. She wanted to learn more about Him than what she already knew. If we are going to give God the gift of serving Him, worshiping Him, and adoring Him, we must know what He would consider good. Our serving should be out of an overflow of love for Him, not mere obligation.
Do you know the God you serve? Have you committed to sitting at His feet, or do you settle for being around those who do? Do you obey His commands because you love Him, or merely because you feel you must?
I encourage you to pray through the lyrics of this bridge. Pray that the desire to know Him, be with Him, and love Him would increase. If we humbly examine our hearts, we’ll learn that we can all draw closer. With open arms, He’s patiently waiting for you. Draw near.
Listen To The Song!
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/6XFUYEgpExi8Ag9pfGqUmk?si=VUcMXJymTqmHACvQNfy91Q
Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/album/walk-with-you/1698541857?i=1698541859
