Recently, while meditating on the Lord, I asked, “What is your favorite place?” The question surprised me. It erupted out of a place deep in my spirit as something I’d never considered; as though Holy Spirit Himself had formed it within and brought the question out of me.
His answer was immediate and reverberated through my being, “In the Garden.”
I did not wonder which garden. It was made clear to me, He was speaking of Gethsemane. I envisioned the scene as He spoke. He was praying there, bent over low in Himself, pouring out the blood of His compassion as sweat from His brow.
Overwhelmed by emotion at the thought of it, I asked, “How could this be your favorite place?”
His response was gentle, “Because I was there with you.”
Never had I more fully comprehended the time Jesus spent in the garden. For everyone, forever. He offered Himself willingly. While we might think of it as the most difficult place to be, preparing to die a horrible death, it was His favorite. His favorite place was there with me; and with you. Everything Jesus ever did came to this favorite place, in the perfect will of the Father with and for us.
“Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns, and weapons.
Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”
“Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.
” I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.)
When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
Again, he asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they said.
Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.”
~ John 18:2-8
When Jesus reveals himself, the power of his presence causes men to fall to the ground.
When Jesus offers himself, one can do nothing but take him and let everyone else go free.
Jesus reveals himself and offers himself. If you are looking for Jesus, let everyone else go.
Free them from your expectations and from their falling short. And while you’re at it, free yourself.
Just go with him. Follow him all the way to the cross, death, burial, and the resurrected life.
“Now I tell you before it come, that when it is come to pass, you may believe that I am he.” ~ John 13:19 ESV.
In Communion, I hear…
Layers.
Discerning the Body.
I pray, ‘Lord, help me see You rightly.’
Cells.
Bread soaked in wine.
Soaking the blood through the layers of skin and flesh, I see You – inside out.
Turned inside out for me.
Every cell exchanged and mine renewed, as a new body is given to me
As I join to You.
This ONE for all. Now all for ONE.
You complete me, anew.
You train me in Your way as I am turned inside out for Your love and the sake of all that is holy.
You.
Holy.
Wholly yours.
I am one with You.
And You are my complete wholeness and holiness – altogether complete.
In You, I am more than saved forever.
It is a better thing with You entirely,
To simply LIVE.
“On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.” ~ John 7:37 ESV.
He is a drink offering. He is our food. Jesus, our very life.
Resurrected.
Thank You Jill!
So faithful!
On this Holy time, may I take Jesus and let all else go
KC
Blessings all over you, Kathy. You are an inspiring example to me, and truly, to everyone who knows you. I love you, Friend.
Jill, Beautiful and timely word. I love the word pictures that the Lord provides to impress His truth in ways that grow inside us and water and grow us closer to Himself. May He change us more and more to be like our wonderful Lord Jesus! God bless you, Jill. You are such a blessing to the Body of Christ!
You always bless me, Linda. Happy Resurrection Day! ❤️
Every cell exchanged! Inside and outside! I love it! Every cell cleansed by the blood! Healing, in Jesus name!
Vera, Isn’t it amazing? This exchange. He is full of goodness, mercy, and grace. All love to you.
Jill,
I don’t think I’ve ever read anything more powerful. Scripture put to life, is what this is and even deeper. Because He was with me in the garden….. Wow! I could hardly read this sentence and began to cry.
Thank you for bringing His word to us & may we all experience it, in a whole new way. Especially in such a personal way. Because of Him…
Kelly, This is how He brings it to me. Just makes me weep every time. Bless you, sweet sister-friend.
Oh, my! This brought tears to my eyes.
Rachel, It’s your precious heart. He shines through you, always. Love and love to you.
Beautiful! That’s my Jesus. Such love!!
Nothing but LOVE, Diana! ❤️
Because I was there with you – a love so complete! There is nothing more He could have done; He was the ultimate sacrifice now resurrected and living inside and through us. Very good Jill.
Amen and amen! He is completely perfect in every way. Thank you, Deanne.
Beautifully written and so pure! That Love so freely given us is more than humanity can understand! Yeshua, Jesus, thank You! May we rest in Your Perfect Love and follow after You each and every day of our lives!!
Amen, Darla! Powerful and beautiful, I can only imagine how much.
Jill…this is just beautiful! Thank you for sharing your heart with us.
Thank you for the encouragement, Sherri! He is so good to us.
Hi Jill!
Love this so much!
Thinking about it again this morning💕
Thank you for sharing
Alice! Thank you for letting me know you’re continuing to receive. God is our neverending comfort and I love lingering over His words. LIFE. LOVE.