Dwell with Him Daily – A close relationship with Jesus has value

Near the conclusion of the Judea / Perea ministry Jesus began predicting his death to his disciples.  Jesus laid groundwork for the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit to be available to his followers. He shares with his disciples, “Things that cause people to sin are bound to come…so watch yourselves” (Luke 17:1a, 3).

After Pharisees asked Jesus when the Kingdom of God would come, he shared, “The Kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is’ or ‘There it is’ because the Kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:20a, 21) [emphasis added]. Followers of Jesus are people dwelling with his spirit in their hearts.

Peter expressed the concern of the disciples and the plight of his followers in Luke 18:28, “We have left all we had to follow you.”  Jesus then again predicted his death and resurrection (Luke 18:31-34). Jesus promised his disciples they will receive much more in the age to come, eternal life. We are told the disciples did not understand this message.

Author Brian McLaren, through his mature Christian character Neo relates, “The lowest available risk that I see is the risk of journeying on in faith. You see, I believe in the Holy Spirit.  I believe Jesus meant it when he said the Spirit of God would be with us, guiding us, to the very end. So I believe that he will guide us through the winds and currents of change, no matter what storms come. In fact, I believe that he is the wind in our sails, leading us into the change, because that’s his way.”

            
Jesus went back to the original purpose of marriage in Genesis 1:27 and 2:24; God created man and woman in his own image and in marriage two (a man and a woman) become one flesh. Jesus discourages divorce by sharing, “So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” (Mathew 19:6)

Jesus does not focus on laws, but where the heart is. This is the goal in marriage; two become one.  When one finds this in the husband and wife relationship, it is a treasure and gift from God.  The love of Christ and his cross at the center of marriage is God’s vision of two becoming one in him. 

Marriage partners, who pray together, stay together! Love including forgiveness is to be the language of family, Christian friends, parents, and spouses. This laudable goal is something to strive for in our life each day.


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McLaren, Brian D. A New Kind of Christian. Josey-Bass, San Francisco, CA. 2001. p. 42.

Refer to: Luke 17, 18