Walking with Jesus – Part 1 – The intimacy of the Twelve

As we reflect on the life and sacrifice of our Lord and celebrate His resurrection and victory over death, let us not overlook the great love and sacrifice of the Father. As we read through the Gospels, we are given a small glimpse into the intimacy of Jesus and his disciples. They walked with him, dined with him, listened to his teaching, reclined on his breast… they enjoyed the fellowship of his presence. I think most of us have imagined, at one time or another, what it would have been like to walk with Jesus during his earthly ministry.

Below are just a few references:

Mat 9:15 WEB Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.

Mat 16:13, 16, 17 WEB Now when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” … He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” (16) Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (17) Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

Jn 13:1,3-5,12-16: “Now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus, knowing that his time had come that he would depart from this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. … Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came from God, and was going to God, arose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments. He took a towel, and wrapped a towel around his waist. Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. … So when he had washed their feet, put his outer garment back on, and sat down again, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me, ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord.’ You say so correctly, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Most certainly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his lord, neither one who is sent greater than he who sent him.”

Joh 13:21-25 WEB When Jesus had said this, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, “Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me.” (22) The disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom he spoke. (23) One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was at the ta

On Easter Sunday 2016, Julie, the girls, and I gathered to watch “The Passion” musical, hosted by Tyler Perry. As it started, I asked God to see His heart. He answered, “Would you see sin differently if it were your child that had to die for sin?” At that moment, I saw a vision of my daughter, Kristen, looking back at us as she walked away with Jesus. My spirit knew God was sharing a glimpse into His foreknowledge in answer to my prayer.

I believe He shared this vision so I could better understand His heart regarding the loss He experienced when Jesus died for our sin. He was allowing me a taste of the struggle between sin and grace. For the first time, I was able to begin to grasp the cost of our sin to the Father. It had always been difficult for me to understand His sacrifice… After all, He is God! I realized I had settled for a partial understanding of His story. God reminded me that He created us in His image and the love we feel for our children is an imperfect reflection of the perfect love He has for His Son and for us.

My heart was broken at the thought of His sacrifice as a Father… And it remains broken today!