And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. (Luke 8:51)
The Sayadi Al-Nas, fishers of men website tells of a mother of twelve who was asked, “Which of your children do you love the most?” She promptly responded, “The one who needs my love the most.”
Peter, James, and John may have been the three that needed Jesus the most. Peter was the most outspoken of the disciples. He was called “the Rock,” not only because he would be the foundation and leader for the first church but also because he was rough around the edges. James and John were named, “Sons of Thunder,” because they had the worst tempers.
Jesus’ inner circle may have also been the three who loved Jesus the most. John was the most affectionate, always wanting to be the closest to Jesus. During the last supper he sat next to Jesus and placed his head on Jesus’ chest. Jesus only revealed His traitor when John asked Him. Jesus revealed His glory at the transformation just with His inner circle. In addition, He showed a moment of grief and depression with His inner circle before His death. “And taking with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee (James and John), He began to show grief and distress of mind and was deeply depressed.” (Matthew 26:37) They were also the three of the Twelve the Book of Acts shows to have the greatest part in the beginnings of the early church.
Those who have the greatest need for Jesus, those who love Him the most, and those who respond to His call will be closest to Jesus.
Father God, I long to be close to Jesus. Let me picture Him suffering like I do, so I know he is real, someone I can cast my cares on. Let me feel His great love for me so I feel comfortable casting my cares on Him and placing my head on His shoulder. Let Him transform me, so I can hear His call and answer it. Show me how to become part of His inner circle. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
When I read, “How can I become part of Jesus’ inner circle?”, I immediately thought of my high school years. The inner circle at school was Jewish. The inner circle did not feel comfortable for a Christian. I had Jewish friends but the friends I was closest to were my Christian friends from my neighborhood and my MYF buddies from church. My 50th class reunion is this summer and I have no desire to go. I will not be there. I still do not feel comfortable being part of that inner circle. I too, pray that I will be part of Jesus’ inner circle. That is an important inner circle filled with love, hope and joy.
I was glad to leave Heights High. I had Jewish friends and an African American friend in middle school, but they all ditched me in High school when they had friends of the same religion and color. Unfortunately my two best friends at West Geauga were judgmental and ditched me after I got a divorce, but I still keep in contact with others through Facebook. MYF was a lifesaver. I felt I could be myself there. It’s hard to believe your 50th class reunion is coming up. Is that possible? I wanted to mention Jesus would like us to reach out to everyone, be part of a small group, and mentor two or three as He did, but it didn’t fit in. Sometimes that is natural with family.
I agree with Jesus, being in small groups is helpful. That is the only way I felt comfortable with Jewish friends. As long as I was with Jews one on one it was fine, or maybe two or three was OK. BUT, if they were in a large group together I felt uncomfortable because they made me feel that way. I guess we understand the feeling of being prejudiced from that experience. It was a learning experience for sure, and a good one, as we understand what it is like to feel left out, not wanted and uncomfortable.
I guess it is good to understand the feeling of being not wanted, so we’re more sensitive to not making others feel that way, but I can’t imagine what it was like to be unable to go into a golf club which our African-American friends and Jewish friends couldn’t do at the time. I remember how hurt I felt that Dad belonged to such a club and didn’t stand up for what was right.
For dad it had nothing to do with being prejudice. He was not like that at all. It was a lot different back in those days, compared to how things now. For dad it was probably a matter of convenience and/or price. I think we have all probably been part of a group or organization of some kind and did not agree with all the philosophies. For instance, many churches do not believe in letting Gay people attend or join. If the church met all my needs, I would probably not let the Gay issue dissuade from being there. I am not sure if that is wrong or not.
I think our definition of prejudice may be different than others. How did my friend Lauren feel? We wanted our dads to play goIlf together. Dad simply told me, “No. Negroes aren’t allowed on the golf courses I play on.” I’m sure she already knew. But she was my best friend, and I didn’t realize at the time she knew what I was about to tell her. “Our dads can’t play golf together because of the color of your skin.” I was upset and outraged, and I cried when I told her. Before then, I thought skin color was like eye color. Lauren’s father did play golf somewhere. Dad never offered to go to his golf course. Are we prejudice when we don’t stand up for what’s right? It is not our job to judge. Not many people have never had a sexual sin. A gay person’s sexual sin is no worse than my sexual sin. They need Jesus just as much as we do. Thanks for making me think about this though. I don’t think I can continue to go to my church anymore. Even though I love the minister’s sermon, I can’t belong to a church who won’t let women have leadership roles. It isn’t right.