Friends in High Places

Awhile back, my wife missed her flight home and was told she would have to wait twelve hours until another flight was available. In tears she called our friend Andy who flies for Southwest.

Andy pulled some strings and was able to find a flight leaving in twenty minutes. Marci dashed to the gate, pounded on the door and the pilot who Andy had texted let her on just in the nick of time.

It helps to have friends in high places!

Everyone has a final flight to catch one day. Jesus said there are two possible destinations. One group will “ go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.” Matthew 25:46

On that day, “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.” Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭21‬ ‭

To those who don’t do God’s will, Jesus says, “Depart from me, I never knew you.” Matthew 7:23

It seems the deciding factor of where we spend eternity is twofold. It’s doing God’s will, made possible by knowing Jesus.

But what does it mean to know Jesus?

Knowing Jesus is not knowing facts about Him. He doesn’t want to be a historical figure we’ve heard about.

Christ desires an intimate relationship with us, where we both share our innermost thoughts and secrets with each other; a friendship so close that nothing can ever separate us.

When you truly know God intimately, doing His will comes naturally. Our love responds to His love. We delight in pleasing Him. We love what He loves and hate what He hates.

Being a religious person won’t get you to God. Knowing facts about Jesus won’t save you.

It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.

I have a friend in high places. Jesus Christ, Maker of heaven and earth; the risen Lord is seated in the highest place at the right hand of God. And I know Him!

Better yet … He knows me!

“And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” John 17:3

“I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead.” Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬