Now, when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled, and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13
I had never met Isaac Gray, but I had heard of him from many of the people who lived in our neighbourhood. Isaac’s nephew lived and farmed next door to us. Those who knew Isaac spoke of him in respectful terms; he must have been an impressive man. My father told me of a time when he was walking home from school and Isaac stopped to give him a lift. During the trip home, Isaac talked to him about various things, and my father said he learned more during those few minutes than he learned during a year of school. Old Isaac’s wisdom and interesting conversation made a difference in how my father approached his schoolwork, and how he talked with his classmates. They knew he had been chatting with old Isaac Gray. Can people tell by the way we act and speak that we have been with Jesus?
The disciples were just a group of simple fishermen and other plain folks. Their average level of formal education was almost non-existent. None were professional men or possessed with any level of training in the sciences, arts, or even religion. And yet, they were eloquent, powerful, and convincing as they moved among the people in the temple and throughout Jerusalem. They had spent three years with Jesus, and it had made a difference that was noticeable and powerful. The same Jesus Who had confounded and amazed the Jewish elite had conferred on His disciples the same capabilities. The same Jesus Who transformed His disciples has given us the same transformation. You and I are naturally no smarter, braver, or more eloquent than most of the people around us. But we have been with Jesus, and He has left His stamp upon us. The longer we spend in His presence, in His Word, among His people, the greater the difference in our lives. And the greater the difference we can make for Him.
If you spend time with Jesus, others will notice, your friends, your family, your fellow workers and students, and even strangers and casual acquaintances. But there is somebody else who will notice the difference: ourselves. Being with Jesus increases our appreciation of Him, and our worship will be deeper and more precious. Being with Jesus improves our knowledge of His doctrine, His character, and His love for souls, so our service for Him will be more effective and meaningful. Being with Jesus will sharpen our knowledge of His purposes, so our acceptance of His will and our anticipation of His coming will intensify.
Spend all the time you can today with Jesus, and allow that time to change you into His image. -Jim MacIntosh