Jesus in the Next Room

Many of us have intellectual or cerebral relationships with the Lord. We believe Jesus is our Savior and worship him. We have no doubt we are his children and try to obey. These are all good but do not satisfy the need for intimate relational closeness. While we try to love God with all our being, we only love him with our mind. We miss out on a great adventure with Jesus as our friend. It feels as though he is always in the next room, but we can’t get there.

So how does one relate to a friend one cannot see, hear, or touch? That is what this devotional is about. It’s about opening the door and moving toward Jesus in the next room. Doors are used as a metaphor for ways to find Jesus, to gain access into a deeper relationship with him. Not to find him only as a Savior but as a friend. Not to find him intellectually but relationally.

In Luke 10:38-42 we read the familiar story of Jesus visiting the home of Martha and Mary. Martha is very busy doing good things to feed and refresh Jesus and his entourage of disciples. She was doing the right thing and living for Jesus. But Mary was with Jesus in the next room, sitting at his feet and listening to him. He commended her for choosing what was better. Something drew Mary away from the preparation of the meal to be in the presence of Jesus.

Are you ready to explore ways to spend time in Jesus’s presence? This devotional will offer practical ways to walk through doors into a deeper relationship with him.

Reflection

As you begin this series of devotions, ask God to show you whether you are Martha, doing the right things, or Mary, sitting at his feet. Think about how you spent the past few days. Were you busy for Jesus or with Jesus? Prayerfully ask God to give you the desire to draw closer to him.