Walk with Him
Knowing Jesus is far more than an insurance policy. No. Wait. Let me rephrase that - walking with Jesus is far more than an insurance policy. What are you talking about? Insurance policy? You know…fire insurance! An insurance policy that is keeping you from going to hell when you die. You may be thinking that is a very rude way to start the day. Well, you are correct, it is quite rude indeed. The thought of living cut off from God, away from His loving presence, with no possibility of gaining it back - is a rude and somber thought! But shouldn’t there be more to life with Jesus than a “get out of hell” pass?
The interaction Jesus had with a paralyzed man in Mark 2:1-12 has fascinated me for a long time. (This same story is found in Matthew 9 and Luke 5) The sick man is brought to Jesus by a group of friends. The obvious reason for bringing the man to see Jesus was for healing. The man could not walk, therefore he was basically helpless. They (his friends) new that Jesus could heal him and in doing so it would change the man’s life.
When the man is placed in front of Jesus the first thing Jesus does it remarkable and very much worth looking at deeper. Jesus says, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:5 ESV) He deals with the spiritual need first. Which would lead me to believe the spiritual healing is more important than the physical. It has eternal ramifications. I will be honest, I have often overlooked this important example. Quickly moving on to the physical miracle. Things we can see are viewed as amazing and cool!
Going back to the original statement, walking with Jesus is far more than an insurance policy. Walking with Jesus is a continual process of becoming the person God created us to be! “It is in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for.“ (Ephesians 1:11 MSG) I wonder how often we (you and I) stand stagnant looking for the spectacular, all the while Jesus longs to do the spectacular in us!
Psalms 139:13-16, tells us that God knows us inside and out, He knows us deeply! We were made from nothing, but designed for something greater! The freedom that comes in knowing who you are in Jesus is indescribable. My challenge for you today is taken from Paul, “as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him.” (Colossians 2:6 ESV) Allow the joy of Jesus to flood your soul today!