January 31 With Jesus

Luke 11:23 “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me, scatters.”
 
HOW often have you considered the word “with”? You probably use it often. “Come with me. Can I go to lunch with you? With a good plan, you will finish the work soon.” Think of it. “With” is a joining, submissive word isn’t it? It defines people being together, communicating and joining in a common purpose. “Without”, then, defines a non-submissive, self-focused individual. He rejects others, walking his own singular path.
    Barb and I use this “with” principle as we walk together each day. To begin each walk, we agree on a time and a route to walk. We communicate. We submit. We can then walk with each other.
    But things can change. As we come to a new street, we each may prefer a new direction – turn right, turn left, go straight. Again we communicate, “Go this way?” And the other submits. We do not want to walk on separately. Communication and submission are essential to be with each other.
    Jesus’ “with me against me” words come in the context of people said Jesus could exorcise demons because he was with Satan. In rebuke, Jesus drew a very sharp line. One is either is walking with him or walking without him. One submits to his teachings, or he does not. There is no middle ground.
    To be with Jesus requires we hear his true communications to us, and we submit to his direction. As Jesus taught on prayer, he urged us to speak to the Lord, listen to the Lord, submit to the Lord and go with the Lord. Otherwise, you walk without him.
    Sometimes we are eager to be with Jesus, aren’t we? We can agree with his generous, gracious words to bless us as we mourn or hunger for more of him (Matthew 5:2-11). But then there are days we hear him communicate, “Repent. Stop the sin.” (For example Matthew 6-7). It’s easier to be with Jesus when we like what he says, isn’t it?
    Be careful about being with Jesus. No person can overcome evil without the Lord’s saving power. You need his Spirit, his word and his life with you at all times. Be alert. Speak to the Lord of your desires. Submit to the Lord as you come to those crossroads on your path. Remember these life-giving words from Zechariah, father of John the Baptist, as he spoke of the Lord’s presence in Luke 1:79b “to guide our feet into the path of peace.” 
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for communicating to me to the path of peace. I submit to your leading me. Amen.