JUST A CLOSER WALK WITH THEE!

In considering the different levels of intimacy with God, all I need to do is look at the 12 Apostles!  We know that Peter was chosen to be the leader of the Church.  We know John is thought to be the one who loved Jesus so deeply, and was given the honor of taking His Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary to his home after the Crucifixion.  We know that Judas betrayed Him.  The 12 men Jesus chose weren't of nobility and wealth.  They were everyday hardworking folks just like we are!

These guys saw the supernatural up close and personal!  How often do we see anything supernatural today?  If we did, would we say it was from God or would we scream demonic? Or would we find a scientific explanation?  What would we do if someone said, "don't take them to the hospital---there's a guy in town who can touch and heal"?  How about if someone were crying over the death of a loved one, and someone said, "don't cry....there's a messiah nearby who raised a man from the dead....let's go get Him"!  Straight-jacket time eh?

Yet these 12 men saw a child raised from the dead...saw Lazarus come out of the tomb after 4 days!  They saw the blind men see, paralyzed men leap, the bleeding woman that no doctor could remedy...find healing just by touching His Garment! They watched a fig tree wither and die...bread multiply to feed thousands...and Him tell the storms to "be still"....and walk on water!  These stories have all been told.  They were all EXPOSED TO THE SUPERNATURAL! 

Of the 12, Jesus chose 3....to be a bit more intimate.  He chose Peter, James, John to see Him in His Transfigured Glory....BEFORE...He actually died and ascended into Heaven...oh yeah....they got to see THAT also! SPECTACULAR!

Did Jesus love these 3 more than the others?  I highly doubt that!  Rather, I believe it is because they were open to receive more from Him, thereby seeking and able to grasp a deeper revealing of His Majesty!  Those people who need explanations for everything or a scientific reason--- it is by inquiring minds that many discoveries have been made; but to dismiss the spiritual explanations as antiquated or for weak-minded people----rejecting religion and faith-based teachings---limits you.  You can enjoy science and God!  To me, science is only teaching what God already knows! 

 Thomas just had to see for himself!  Jesus said He had many things to tell the Apostles but they weren't able to bear it just then...He took them on a journey and grew them up!  To see the Divine in His Glory beforehand...wow!  Peter went from denying him three times to beholding the Fantastic Glory of God in Christ while He was still alive!!  Now that is intimacy---seeing the complete person inside and out!  It was not given to the others...maybe they weren't ready? Maybe their walk was still on the natural side of things? Perhaps, they were still doubting? Were they just content to follow and watch the Teacher do all the wonderful things for the crowds? We don't know...but we do know...Jesus had an "inner circle".  I want to be in that Light!  I want more than this natural world! I want to do more than just follow teachings! I want a closer walk with Him!