Today’s Bible Verse
“When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions…”
Matthew 5:1-2 (MSG)
Commitment is the Price to Pay for Intimacy
If there is one thing this generation is looking for, it is authenticity. They no longer want to go to church because they are told to. They are past the stage of coming to church to just hang out with their friends. They are searching for a real, tangible, intimate relationship with Jesus, and I think there are people who are reading this devotional today that feel this way. But, there is a price to pay for intimacy.
God set the standard: if a man and a woman want to enter into an intimate relationship with one another, they must first be married. They have to make a commitment to one another and to God himself that they will support one another, love each other, in good times and in bad times, all the days of their lives. Well, if God requires that type of commitment for a man and a woman to be intimate with one another, don’t you think He would require no lesser commitment for us to have an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit?
We see here in the verses above that Jesus was climbing a mountain; He was taking His ministry to a higher level. The verse says that those who were “committed” to Him climbed with Him. They were willing to endure the pain and to take on the challenges, just so they could continue to be with Jesus. If you cross-reference these verses with Mark 3:13-14, you will see that these committed climbing companions were the Twelve. They were the twelve disciples that we all know, and they had an intimate relationship with Jesus that others did not have.
The Twelve walked with Jesus; they ate what Jesus ate; they slept where Jesus slept. Jesus ministered to the multitudes; Jesus sent out the 70 in His Name, but He only discipled the Twelve. These Twelve would go on to change the world, spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ everywhere because of their deep, intimate relationship with Jesus. But, it all started with their willingness to pay the price of commitment. (Rick Abordo)
Seize the Moment
If you desire a true tangible intimate relationship with Jesus, I have good news for you: He desires that even more than you do. A price of commitment needs to be paid, and it begins with a heart of surrender. The greater the desire for intimacy, the greater the price of commitment needs to be paid, and the greater act of surrender needs to be made.
Set Your Life
Take some time with the Holy Spirit; ask Him what level of commitment and surrender He requires you to make. Write down the things He is asking you to stop or start doing in your life. Discuss these things with your Life Group Leader, so they can help you stay accountable to your commitment.
Today’s Declaration
Lord Jesus, I desire a more intimate relationship with You. I make a commitment to You today. I will no longer hold on to the behaviors of my past, and I will no longer hold back Your call for my future. I surrender all to you today Jesus.
Today’s Bible Reading
- Old Testament: Deuteronomy 18-21; Psalms 67
- New Testament: Matthew 27:11-26; Romans 12:9-21
