Saying Yes to Intimacy With Jesus

Over these past several weeks, we have walked together through a gentle but profound invitation:

To grow not only in Christ through knowledge, but with Christ through intimacy.

We began with a simple longing that many believers feel but rarely articulate: 

“I know about Jesus, but I long to know Him more personally.”

That longing is not weakness—it is the Spirit’s whisper, drawing us closer to the heart of God.

Before we close this series, let’s briefly revisit the steps we’ve taken and then consider a final Advent-centered picture of intimacy that invites us forward into a deeper walk with Christ.

From Information to Intimacy

We discovered that spiritual maturity is not measured by the amount of biblical information we accumulate, but by how deeply Christ forms our hearts. Paul captures this desire in a simple prayer: 

“That I may know Him…” (Phil. 3:10, ESV)

Knowing Christ is not a fact to memorize but a relationship to experience.

Living With Jesus, Not Just for Him

We explored Jesus’ invitation, “Abide in Me” (John 15:4), observing how Christian growth is not achieved by performance, but by presence.

We don’t bear fruit by trying harder—but by staying closer. 

Abiding isn’t something we master; it’s Someone we notice.

Encountering God in the Ordinary

We reflected on the Incarnation—God taking on human flesh in Jesus and stepping into our everyday world. This means Christ’s presence fills not only our sacred moments but also the most ordinary:

• dishes and deadlines,
• conversations and commutes,
• joys and sorrows,
• routines and interruptions.

The ordinary becomes sacred because Jesus walks with us in it.

When Intimacy With Jesus Can Feel Frightening

We acknowledged something honest: many believers fear closeness with Christ: 

Fear of being known… Fear of disappointment…Fear shaped by old wounds…Fear of emotionalism or “getting it wrong.” Yet Scripture reassures us:

“There is no fear in love… but perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18).

Intimacy is not God exposing us to shame—it is God exposing us to love.

Where Do We Go from Here?

Advent gives us a powerful picture of intimacy through the life of Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Mary: The First to Know the Joy of Intimacy with Christ (Luke 1:26–38; 2:19)

Mary’s story begins in fear. When the angel Gabriel appears, Scripture says she is “greatly troubled.”

Fear is where intimacy often begins. Yet into her fear comes a word of grace: 

“Do not be afraid.”

The angel invites Mary into a relationship she cannot fully comprehend: Christ Himself will dwell within her. Mary does not understand the mystery. She cannot predict the cost. She has every reason to shrink back in fear.

And yet, she responds with this beautiful acceptance—simple, trusting, and surrendered: 

“Let it be to me according to your word.”

Mary becomes the first person to carry Christ within her in an intimate and holy way. She abides with Him before He ever teaches the word “abide.” She experiences:

• intimacy without full understanding,
• companionship in the ordinary,
• presence in both wonder and bewilderment,
• a deepening trust that grows with every step.

And after Jesus’ birth, Scripture tells us:

“Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19)

This is intimacy.

A heart that holds, reflects upon, and cherishes God’s nearness.

Mary shows us that intimacy with Christ is not rooted in certainty but in trustful surrender. It is not rooted in emotional highs, but in a heart willing to receive. You won’t discover intimacy in performance, but in presence.

Her story becomes an Advent invitation for us. When Christ invites you to draw near:

• Don’t be afraid.
• Treasure His presence.
• Welcome Him into the ordinary places of your life.
• Let your heart become a dwelling place for His love.

An Invitation to Go Deeper

1. Where in my life do I sense Christ inviting me to respond, as Mary did, with a simple and trusting “yes”?
2. What fears, uncertainties, or past experiences make intimacy with Jesus feel difficult for me at times?
3. How might I begin to “treasure” the presence of Christ in my ordinary routines—just as Mary pondered and held His nearness in her heart?
4. In what ways is the Holy Spirit inviting me to slow down, notice, and abide with Jesus in this season?
5. What would it look like for my heart to become a dwelling place for Christ’s love today?

A Final Reflection

This may be the end of a written series, but it is not the end of your journey. Christ continues to whisper: “Come to Me… abide in Me… walk with Me.”

The invitation to grow in and with Christ continues—one ordinary moment, one surrendered prayer, one whispered “yes” at a time. Take a moment to hear and say “yes” to Christ’s invitation. 

“Lord Jesus, thank You for drawing near. Like Mary, help me to say, ‘Let it be to me according to Your word.’ Teach me to abide, to listen, to notice, and to rest in Your love. May my heart become a place where Your presence is welcomed, cherished, and obeyed.”