May 22, 2014: Jesus is My Example / His Very Presence!

John 7:28-53

Amplified Bible (AMP)

28 Whereupon Jesus called out as He taught in the temple [porches], Do you know Me, and do you know where I am from? I have not come on My own authority and of My own accord and as self-appointed, but the One Who sent Me is true (real, genuine, steadfast); and Him you do not know!

29 I know Him [Myself] because I come from His [very] presence, and it was He [personally] Who sent Me.

30 Therefore they were eager to arrest Him, but no one laid a hand on Him, for His hour (time) had not yet come.

31 And besides, many of the multitude believed in Him [adhered to Him, trusted in Him, relied on Him]. And they kept saying, When the Christ comes, will He do [can He be expected to do] more miracles and produce more proofs and signs than what this Man has done?

32 The Pharisees learned how the people were saying these things about Him under their breath; and the chief priests and Pharisees sent attendants (guards) to arrest Him.

33 Therefore Jesus said, For a little while I am [still] with you, and then I go back to Him Who sent Me.

34 You will look for Me, but you will not [be able to] find Me; where I am, you cannot come.

35 Then the Jews said among themselves, Where does this Man intend to go that we shall not find Him? Will He go to the Jews who are scattered in the Dispersion among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks?

36 What does this statement of His mean, You will look for Me and not be able to find Me, and, Where I am, you cannot come?

37 Now on the final and most important day of the Feast, Jesus stood, and He cried in a loud voice, If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink!

38 He who believes in Me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me] as the Scripture has said, From his innermost being shall flow [continuously] springs and rivers of living water.

39 But He was speaking here of the Spirit, Whom those who believed (trusted, had faith) in Him were afterward to receive. For the [Holy] Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified (raised to honor).

40 Listening to those words, some of the multitude said, This is certainly and beyond doubt the Prophet!

41 Others said, This is the Christ (the Messiah, Anointed One)! But some said, What? Does the Christ come out of Galilee?

42 Does not the Scripture tell us that the Christ will come from the offspring of David and from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?

43 So there arose a division and dissension among the people concerning Him.

44 Some of them wanted to arrest Him, but no one [ventured and] laid hands on Him.

45 Meanwhile the attendants (guards) had gone back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, Why have you not brought Him here with you?

46 The attendants replied, Never has a man talked as this Man talks! [No mere man has ever spoken as He speaks!]

47 The Pharisees said to them, Are you also deluded and led astray? [Are you also swept off your feet?]

48 Has any of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in Him?

49 As for this multitude (rabble) that does not know the Law, they are contemptible and doomed and accursed!

50 Then Nicodemus, who came to Jesus before at night and was one of them, asked,

51 Does our Law convict a man without giving him a hearing and finding out what he has done?

52 They answered him, Are you too from Galilee? Search [the Scriptures yourself], and you will see that no prophet comes (will rise to prominence) from Galilee.

53 And they went [back], each to his own house.

So I can't get past verses 28 and 29.

28 Whereupon Jesus called out as He taught in the temple [porches], Do you know Me, and do you know where I am from? I have not come on My own authority and of My own accord and as self-appointed, but the One Who sent Me is true (real, genuine, steadfast); and Him you do not know!

29 I know Him [Myself] because I come from His [very] presence, and it was He [personally] Who sent Me.

I have not come on my own authority. I am not self appointed. I have come from His very presence. 

Relationship, relationship, relationship. Its the key to everything in life. We can't be an island to ourself. Our whole life is built around relationships. Relationships start when we are born. During our whole life, we cant escape relationships. With our families, our classmates, our coworkers, our neighbors, friends - old and new, and our church family.

We can be a practicing Christian without a relationship with Jesus for a time. But suddenly and without warning, everything will collapse around us.

We must spend time with Him every day! And rivers of living water will flow out our innermost being continuously! We will never thirst again. Our relationship will grow deeper and deeper. It starts with just a few words in tongues. (Acts chapter 2) Then as we continue to spend time in His very presence, our few words will become a whole language that only He and the angels understand. 

When I speak in tongues, I pour my heart out to Jesus. He understands our special language and hears every cry of my heart. 

His very presence is my favorite place to be! And I long to be in His very presence forever and ever! I'm simply enjoying a little bit of heaven on earth when we commune together. 

Yes, I know Him, because I come from His VERY PRESENCE.

"Thank You, Jesus, for Your friendship. I am friends with the God of the universe. We even have our own private language. Wow. This is mind boggling. You and I are one. Your very presence is all I need. I'm thinking of the hymn, "All that Thrills My Soul is Jesus." I long to see You face to face. But while I wait for that day, I will enjoy our one on one time together. How I love You, Jesus. AMEN."