“Being with Jesus” by Dr. Lynnette Simm

This last week, I had the pleasure of being with Jesus. I listened as Jesus explained how a wealthy man could get into heaven and I watched as John baptized Him.

How, may you ask, was I able to be with Jesus? I did it the same way anyone does when reflect on special moments with their loved ones. The Bible took me to these incredible moments with Christ when I read the scriptures, closed my eyes, and imagined I was right there. Hearing Jesus talk with such love and compassion for the wealthy man in Mark 10:17-22 melted my heart. Jesus so wanted the man to give up his wealth, his idol, and follow Him. But then I saw the man’s face fall with reluctance and he walked away. At first I could sympathize with the wealthy man. He built a life and security, of course he wouldn’t want to give it all away. Then I looked towards Jesus’s face. I saw His disappointment because the man didn’t comprehend that everything on earth will be gone. What Jesus was offering was “eternal life.”

As I sat there, staring at Jesus, I felt overwhelmed by the things in my life that I let come before HIM, but before I left I thanked Him for sharing with me the areas in my life I need to work on.
The next day, I sat by the Jorden and watched as He approached. I knew what was going to happen. Everyone knew that John was baptizing people in the name of God. Fascinated, I listened to the exchange between Jesus and John (Matt 3:13-17). John felt he wasn’t worthy to baptize Jesus. “But Jesus answering said to him, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he *permitted Him.”

Then it happened! The Holy Spirit showed up like a dove, and God told Him how pleased He was with Jesus and that HE was HIS beloved Son. It was AWESOME! As the tears silently slipped down my face, I felt the love of my Heavenly Father wrap around me like a heated, weighted blanket. Snuggled deep into my heart.

Unfortunately, I haven’t mastered the time management or meditation skills to spend everyday like this with Jesus, but I’m learning and I’m loving it.

You can have intimate time with Jesus too. Reading scripture shouldn’t be just reading the Bible then putting it away. Spend some quality time with Jesus. I like spending twenty to thirty minutes. Just Him and me.