Walk with Jesus

In Acts 4:13, it says, “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” Let’s look at this phrase that says, “And they realized that they had been with Jesus.”

“As the priests listened to the apostles’ fearless words, ‘they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.’

“Of the disciples after the transfiguration of Christ it is written that at the close of that wonderful scene ‘they saw no man, save Jesus only.’ Matthew 17:8. ‘Jesus only’—in these words is contained the secret of the life and power that marked the history of the early church. When the disciples first heard the words of Christ, they felt their need of Him. They sought, they found, they followed Him. They were with Him in the temple, at the table, on the mountainside, in the field. They were as pupils with a teacher, daily receiving from Him lessons of eternal truth.

“After the Saviour’s ascension, the sense of the divine presence, full of love and light, was still with them. It was a personal presence. Jesus, the Saviour, who had walked and talked and prayed with them, who had spoken hope and comfort to their hearts, had, while the message of peace was upon His lips, been taken from them into heaven. …Their union with Him was stronger now than when He was with them in person. The light and love and power of an indwelling Christ shone out through them, so that men, beholding, marveled.” The Acts of the Apostles, 64, 65.

“After the disciples had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the priests and rulers marveled at the words which they spake, for they knew them as unlearned and ignorant men. But they took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus.

“Their teaching was a second edition of the teachings of Christ, the utterance of simple, grand truths that flashed light into darkened minds, and converted thousands in a day. The disciples began to understand that Christ was their Advocate in the heavenly courts, and that He was glorified. They could speak because the Holy Spirit gave them utterance.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 6, 1055, 1056.

We read in Acts that they took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus. Are our lives such that people can notice that we have been with Jesus? If our lives are going to be a reflection of Jesus’ life, we must spend time with Him.

In Job 22:21, it says, “Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.” Now is the time to spend time getting to know God so that we can reflect His character.

“When the mind of man is brought into communion with the mind of God, the finite with the Infinite, the effect on body and mind and soul is beyond estimate. In such communion is found the highest education. It is God’s own method of development. ‘Acquaint now thyself with Him’ (Job 22:21), is His message to mankind.” The Acts of the Apostles, 126.

If you are going to reflect something, you must know what the object you want to reflect looks like. If you want to tell someone else about some place on earth, you must spend some time getting to know about it in order to relate it to that person. If you want to be like Jesus you must know what Jesus’ life was like while on this earth.

Jesus was an influential person. He had a powerful draw with people. Jesus’ life was such a charged life. There are many things that characterized His life and made Him such an attractive person.

“For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45. Jesus came to serve people.

“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” Acts 10:38. Wherever Jesus was, He was doing good and helping people who were in trouble.

“The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.” John 7:46. “And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son?” Luke 4:22. When Jesus spoke, His words held people. He was not rude but gracious in speech. The words that came out of His mouth were a blessing.

People were attracted to Jesus. “And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left [their] nets, and followed him.” Matthew 4:18–20. Never has there been another person who had such power with people. When Jesus passed and asked someone to follow Him, immediately they did it. Jesus had a drawing power. People were attracted to Him.

Jesus prayed for (loved) His enemies. “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.” Luke 23:34.

“Christ’s work is to be our example. Constantly He went about doing good. In the temple and the synagogues, in the streets of the cities, in the marketplace and the workshop, by the seaside and among the hills, He preached the gospel and healed the sick. His life was one of unselfish service, and it is to be our lessonbook. His tender, pitying love rebukes our selfishness and heartlessness.” Testimonies, vol. 9, 31.

As you study the life of Jesus, you realize that He was always looking out for other people. He had great compassion and sympathy for others. He was looking for people He could help. His was a totally selfless life.

“He exercised the greatest tact, and thoughtful, kind attention in His intercourse with the people. He was never rude, never needlessly spoke a severe word, never gave needless pain to a sensitive soul. He did not censure human weakness. He fearlessly denounced hypocrisy, unbelief, and iniquity, but tears were in His voice as He uttered His scathing rebukes. He wept over Jerusalem, the city He loved, that refused to receive Him, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. They rejected Him, the Saviour, but He regarded them with pitying tenderness, and sorrow so deep that it broke His heart. Every soul was precious in His eyes. While He always bore Himself with divine dignity, He bowed with tenderest regard to every member of the family of God. In all men He saw fallen souls whom it was His mission to save.” The Desire of Ages, 353.

Have you fallen in love with Jesus? Are you attracted to Him? Are others attracted to Him when they look at your life, my life? Are we constantly looking for ways to help others? Can others see that we have been with Jesus?

“Christ ever manifested a heavenly courtesy in dealing with human souls. His life was a life of constant self-denial and self-sacrifice. Those who are numbered with the overcomers will be those who have practiced the virtues of Christ.” The Upward Look, 290.

“Keep the perfume of Christ’s character in your own words and actions. Let querulous complaints forever cease. Then there will flow into your heart the sunbeams of the righteousness of Christ. God will bless you, and make you a blessing. …

“What manifestations will appear when Christ, abiding in the heart, is shining in the faces of those who love Him and keep His commandments. Truth is written there. The man is transformed into Christ’s image. A worldling may pass by and not mark the change, but those who have had communion with Christ discern the expression of Christ in word, in spirit. The influence upon the heart is seen in a habitual gentleness, a more than human love. The sweet peace of heaven will be in the soul, and will be revealed in the countenances.” Ibid., 28.

“Your greatest danger will be that you will not see the need of contemplating the character of Christ with a set purpose to imitate His life and conform your character to His character. You are to show a marked difference between your character and that of the world. ‘For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power’ (Colossians 2:9, 10).” Ibid., 27.

We must be studying the life of Christ so that we can imitate His character and so that others will see Him reflected in us as the priests took note that the disciples had been with Jesus.

There are many other things about the life of Christ that we need to study and put into practice.

“Never underrate the importance of little things. Little things supply the actual discipline of life. It is by them that the soul is trained that it may grow into the likeness of Christ, or bear the likeness of evil. God help us to cultivate habits of thought, word, look, and action that will testify to all about us that we have been with Jesus and learned of Him!” Child Guidance, 129, 130.

“It is the little things of life that develop the spirit in men and women and determine the character. … In words, in tones, in gestures, in looks, you can represent the spirit of Jesus. He who neglects these little things, and yet flatters himself that he is ready to do wonderful things for the Master, will be in danger of failing altogether. Life is not made up of great sacrifices and wonderful achievements, but of little things.” My Life Today, 172.

A network engineer, Jana Grosboll lives in Derby, Kansas. She may be contacted by email at: janawwjd@yahoo.com.