As those that have been “married” for dozens of years know, closeness and intimacy are NOT automatic, nor are they common in most marriages. The same tragedy is true in a marriage with Jesus - Him the Bridegroom, those who have received Him as Savior, His Bride. 

Those who have an intimate marriage with Jesus are the exception, not the rule. Many (perhaps most) know Jesus casually at best. They know a few things about His love letter to them (the Bible), devote a few (10, 20, 45…) minutes a day actually talking with and to Him, can’t enunciate very much about what He loves and hates, and find it uncomfortable or stressful to discuss Him with others, ‘saved’ or ‘unsaved’. God is their Savior, yes, but they can’t relate to being intimate with Him, much less understand much about becoming His best Friend. Bottom line, intimacy with man...or God is rare indeed.     

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Towards the end of Jesus’ 3 years of public ministry on earth, He asked one of His 12 closest followers Philip, a question that must have felt very strange to Philip, one that must have hit him right between the eyes. A strange question in the context that Philip had been with Jesus every day, almost 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for about three full years.

“Philip”, Jesus asked, “you been with me a long time, and you still don’t know Me”? (Jn. 14: 8-9).

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~~“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death.” Philippians 3:10
 
There are special people we would love to know better. High or at the top of our list is our spouse, children, parents, siblings, and perhaps several special friends. The deeper we know them and they know us, the richer our relationship. Through time and discipline, as our knowledge of one another grows, our trust and understanding grows, leading to deep feelings and affection. Some, perhaps not many, know the richness and rewards of deep relationships.

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