Revelation 2:1 He who walks in the midst of the church
In a prophetic vision of the end of the ages, John saw Jesus walking in the midst of the Church. Later Jesus told John, “they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.” (Revelation 3:4)
In your new life, you should be walking with Jesus.
John 1:14 NKJV And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
Our new life in Christ is essentially a daily fellowship with Him.
- What is it like walking with Jesus?
- How does it impact life’s situations, change our attitudes, and circumstances?
- What is it like abiding in this fellowship with Jesus?
Walking with Jesus produces a progressive change in us. The idea of walking with Jesus reminds me of Moses walking into the presence of God. Abiding in God’s presence brought a radical change upon Moses.
Amos, the Old Testament prophet asked a question that we should consider. Amos 3:3 NKJV Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?
In the early days of Christ’s first advent, Jesus asked people to follow Him.
Mark 1:16-18 NKJV And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
Mark 1:19-20 NKJV When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets. And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him.
As the disciples responded and followed Him, they began a journey that revealed Christ in great glory and power. It was impossible for them to know what would happen when they started following Jesus. During those early walks with the Lord, they heard Christ declare the purpose for His coming. His words and works enflamed their hearts and changed their lives.
Luke 4:18-19 NKJV Jesus said: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”
Immediately after calling Simon, Andrew, James and John, Jesus went to a synagogue and began teaching, (Mark 1:20-27). While teaching, a man with an unclean spirit cried out, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did you come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”
These new followers of Christ were immediately exposed to His power and glory. He spoke to the unclean spirit and he came out of the man.
What is it like walking with Jesus?
He walked in great power and authority with the full anointing of the Holy Spirit of God upon Him. He walked in full and open communion with the Father. The disciples were quickly initiated into their new life of walking with Jesus.
What we observe throughout the Gospels demonstrates what it is like walking with Christ. Watch how Jesus impacted and changed people’s lives and situations. Pay close attention to the things Jesus did as He walked on this earth. From the beginning we observe great signs, wonders and miracles. As they walked with Him, they witnessed Jesus’ power over Satan, sin, death, and sickness. He had authority over the wind, waves, and the natural course of events.
When you start your new life in Christ, you should expect situations to radically change. Isaiah the prophet was given great insight into the change that occurs as we identify with Christ and walk with Him.
Isaiah 43:1-3 NIV But now, this is what the Lord says— He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
We are looking at the benefits of walking with Jesus.
Isaiah was describing the relationship the redeemed have with the Lord.
- He said God has formed, created, and given you life.
That should change the way you look at yourself.
- He encourages us to walk with Him without fear for God has redeemed you.
- He has summoned you by your name and He said, “You are mine.”
- He has identified you with His Son and has claimed you for Himself and you are His.
Then Isaiah said that no situation in life would hinder your Savior’s success.If you are facing any kind of fear, you should know that God is going to achieve His purpose for you. He described multiple dramatic situations that come in life. You need to know that the Lord will be with you when you pass through waters. When flooding rivers arise, they will not sweep over you. Even when you walk through the fire of adversity, you will not burn. When life brings severe tests, your Savior said: “I will be with you and will not fail you.”
How can this happen? It can happen in your new life in Christ, because you are walking with God your Savior.
Isaiah 43:10-11 NIV “Youare My witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am He. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from Me there is no savior.”
This is a personal message for those who walk with the Lord and put their trust in Him. God will make you His witnesses throughout your journey.
Not only has God identified us with His Son, we can personally identify with Him as our Savior and Lord. Part of the reason behind the water, flood, and fire is this testimony of our Savior. God wants to demonstrate Who He is and what He is like through us. God has put His name, character, and reputation on the line with you. He wants all creation to know that He is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God by Christ Jesus.
Think about what God did with Israel when they crossed the Red Sea and walked through that great wilderness. God said He was their defense and was a wall of fire around them, (Zechariah 2:5; Psalms 59:16). He bore them up and carried them along.
He is holding us up before humanity and the spirit world. God is letting all of the hosts of heaven know that He is our Savior. He is declaring this to every principality and power.
Jesus chose His disciples to bear witness of His actions. They were chosen to be a witness of the truth. They not only saw His glory, they were called to fellowship with the Lord of glory.
As the disciples walked with Jesus they were exposed to many challenging situations. Throughout their journey with Him, His glory was shown in the signs, wonders, and miracles that He did. His glory was revealed in His word and His works.
As Jesus was walking with them, a great multitude of people were following Him, because they saw His miraculous signs as He healed the sick, (John 6). Jesus turned to Philip and asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” The text says, “He was testing Philip, for He already knew what He was going to do.” That is a key for every situation that you face. The Lord already knows what He is going to do.
Often as we walk with Jesus, we are going to be faced with situations that we cannot solve. Philip did what many of us do. He began counting the money and looking in the bread box. He looked at the numbers of people and began calculating. He found no solution for the situation. It sounds absurd that Peter said, “We found a young boy that had five barley loaves and two fish, but that would do no good with a huge multitude.”
Often as we walk with Jesus, we will see that we have too few loaves and fish. Don’t give up when your resources are too small for “nothing is too hard for God.” God already has a solution for your situation.
When you walk with Jesus, anticipate the unexpected.
Jesus told the disciples to have everyone sit down. Five thousand men plus the women and children were present.
John 6:11 NKJV And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted.
As you walk with Jesus, get ready for Him to use you in challenging situations. Take note that Jesus expected there to be enough food for everyone to take as much as they wanted. Do not let doubt and unbelief limit what Jesus wants to do.
John 6:12-13 NKJV So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.” Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.
The disciples gathered up more than they started with. Everyone present knew a great miracle had taken place.
After feeding the people, Jesus had the disciples get in a boat and go to the other side as He sent the people away.
Matthew 14:23-24 NKJV And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.
Remember Isaiah’s words as you are in troubled waters.
God told Isaiah, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you…” Jesus wanted the disciples to have faith when they faced difficulties.
You may not see Him, but God is with you when you pass through the waters, flooding rivers, and when you walk through the fire.
When the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water, they were afraid. In the troubled water, Jesus said: “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” It was at that moment that Simon Peter said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to you.” Jesus said, “Come.”
What did that mean?
Jesus gave Peter permission to do the impossible. Whoever you are, you can walk on the water with Jesus.
We do not know everything that is possible when we walk with Jesus.
It is a personal challenge to walk in fellowship with the Son of God. His steps are always pure and righteous. His steps never waver or fail. He walks in the full power of the Spirit. His steps are filled with power and great authority.
Most of us do not have a complete understanding of what God is doing in our lives. You may be looking at a routine trip out on the lake, but Jesus wants to show you His glory and power. You may be walking down a country road, but Jesus wants to show you His miracle provision. He does not change when our situations alter.
The disciples’ faith wavered when darkness covered them and the sea arose and the wind was blowing.
Most of us have known dark times of challenging storms. We have had our plans take a dramatic and uncertain turn. We know what it is like when God’s plans lead us into uncharted and uncertain waters.
The disciples felt they were able to walk with Jesus. Jesus had called them away from their normal routine. They were walking in the fellowship of the King of Glory. They were with Jesus when He raised the dead, opened blinded eyes, and healed a withered hand. They participated in His miracle feeding the multitudes. Jesus even commissioned them to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, and drive out demons.
If you walk on water with Jesus, you will be brought into a deeper connection with God. Water walking demonstrates true commitment and trust. Water walking discovers the depth of power that is available by obeying Christ. We walk with Jesus on the water in various situations. We do not know what we are doing or how we are going to succeed, but we are walking with Jesus. Every impossibility is an opportunity for His miracle power.
Peter’s success depended fully on keeping his eyes on Jesus and walking where Jesus walked.
God has not called us to weakness or defeat, but to strength and victory in Christ. He has not called us to destruction, but to newness of life in the Lord Jesus Christ. Your new life in Christ has enabled you to walk with Him.
As the disciples were walking with Jesus, He asked Peter, James and John to go with Him up a mountain. They were walking with Him, but Jesus wanted to take them higher. When they followed Him, He was transfigured before them and they saw the lord’s glory.
The Lord is preparing people to walk in His presence.
Revelation 1:5-6 NLT All glory to Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to Him forever and ever! Amen.
We want to walk in His love and be freed from our sins. We want to be His kingdom of priests.
Take a look at what God is preparing for us.
When John saw the resurrected and glorified Christ, He was standing in the midst of the church. John saw the Lord in all of His glory and power. His countenance was glowing with the glory of God.
You need to know that believers are going to have fellowship with the glorified Christ. Our fellowship is not just with the suffering Savior Who was wounded for our transgressions and died on a cross. Our fellowship is with the resurrected Lord and Savior.
Revelation 1:17-18 NLT When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as if I were dead. But He laid His right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.”
When John started walking with Jesus, they were standing by the bank of the Sea of Galilee. Simon, Andrew, James and John were ready to forsake all to walk with Jesus. They walked with Jesus and beheld His signs, wonders and miracles.
Now John is standing in the presence of the conquering King of Kings and Lord of Lords beholding all His glory.
If we are walking with Jesus, one day He will call us up to see His glory in heaven.
Ephesians 5:25-27 Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her so that He might… “present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but she shall be holy and without blemish.”
2 Peter 1:3 NLT By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the One Who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence.
God has done something absolutely amazing. He has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light and life. By His Own marvelous glory and excellence, God has called us to Himself. In doing this, He called us to walk in the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Revelation 3:4-5 NLT They will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before My Father and His angels that they are mine.
