THE POWER OF INTIMACY

I have been thinking about intimacy lately, and I have come to realise that it could mean different things to different people.

In the Gospels, we see that Jesus often spoke in parables, but whenever He was alone with His disciples, He would go into more detail about His ministry as He spent time with them.

“He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.” Mark 4:34 NIV

Jesus entrusted His closest followers with full insight into the secrets of the Kingdom of God. He expounded further to them beyond what multitudes heard and saw. By inviting them to ask questions and seek clarity in private meetings, He was setting the stage for them to carry on His ministry.

“Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment. Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, ‘Why couldn’t we drive it out?’ He replied, ‘Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.’”  Matthew 17:18–20 NIV

That is intimacy.  They asked Him in private, and He gave them revelation.

Intimacy is staying near, listening closely, noticing what others may tend to overlook, and receiving insight in ordinary moments.

Our LORD and Saviour, Jesus Christ, placed priority on intimacy and He never bypassed opportunities to be alone with His disciples.

“The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’”  Mark 6:30–31 NIV

Multitudes heard Jesus speak when He was on earth, but few stayed behind long enough to understand Him deeply.

Staying behind when the cheering or jeering crowd leaves is intimacy.

Intimacy produces transformation.

Jesus’ disciples were ordinary men, yet after walking closely with Him for three years, they carried His nature, continued His work, spread the Gospel worldwide, and their impact remains thousands of years later.

Those moments spent privately and intimately with the disciples were opportunities for Jesus to pour Himself into them. And He did — so much so that even after Jesus ascended into heaven, they carried on His legacy, of which we are still partakers today, more than two thousand years later.

Shine Jesus Shine!!!

Pouring oneself into another is intimacy that produces continuity.

Intimacy, however, requires separation.

Jesus often withdrew by Himself to spend time with the Father. He would go into mountains or quiet places just to be with the Father and draw strength for the journey ahead.

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”— Mark 1:35 NIV

Intimacy often grows when we move away from noise and performance, where there is space for personal reflection, meditation, and prayer.

“Grace to be alone with You, grant me, O LORD.” Amen!

What are we leaving behind as we carry on in this journey of life?

Intimacy is built on the foundation of an honest and true relationship. If there is no relationship, there cannot be intimacy.

Shallow relationships do not lead to intimacy.

Absent partners cannot create intimacy.

We must be present.

We must be there.

We must spend quality time.

We must be devoted.

Hide and seek, lies, mind games, and second-guessing will never lead to intimacy.

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”— John 15:7 NIV

Jesus always encouraged us to spend time with Him. He said we should remain. It should not be an occasional visit.

We are to dwell in Him — that is the secret place.

DRAW NEAR.

STAY CLOSE.

REMAIN IN HIM.

BE TRANSFORMED.

THAT IS TRUE INTIMACY.

OLUYINKA EGO-MARTINS ©