Jesus within

‘Father! You have given them to me, and I want them to be with me where I am, so that they may see my glory, the glory you gave me; for you loved me before the world was made. Righteous Father! The world does not know you, but I know you, and these know that you sent me. I made you known to them, and I will continue to do so in order that the love you have for me may be in them and so that I also may be in them.’  (verses 2 26)

Read John 17: 20-26

‘I . . . in them.’ Jesus in me. Jesus in you. What a powerful image!

Most people, I find, have a sense of God ‘out there’. God watches from heaven or wafts around the world and universe in some mysterious way. Then, in rough times, God seems to move away, become remote. Sometimes it feels as if God goes away completely.

But here Jesus talks about himself, God, being in us. Not Just close. But in. Jesus within. The one who came to earth lived and died and rose – he is in me. In baptism his Spirit came into me. In his supper he is taken in by me. Jesus in me, in you.

Close your eyes and feel the centre of yourself. Listen to the one in you, the one who connects with your soul and talks to your life. Jesus.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your intimate involvement with me. Help me to know you at the core of my being, so that I may be daily empowered for life. Amen.

by Bob Kempe, in ‘New Strength for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 1998)

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