Everyone Can Tell When You’ve Been With Jesus


This morning I attended Life Church in San Antonio, TX. Pastor Terry reminded us of what is sometimes referred to as, “The Law of Worship,” during his message. Although I had heard it before it sure was both a great reminder and challenge. 

Check out this passage:

“When the people of the land come before the Lord at the appointed festivals, whoever enters by the north gate to worship is to go out the south gate; and whoever enters by the south gate is to go out the north gate. No one is to return through the gate by which they entered, but each is to go out the opposite gate.”
Ezekiel 46:9

Did you catch it? Whatever way you come into worship you’re to leave another way. Enter through the North, and you’ll leave through the South. Enter through the South, and you’ll leave through the North. No one leaves the same way they came in.

That should always be the case for those who worship God. When we enter into God’s presence we’re changed. We’re renewed. Time in God’s presence never leaves us the way we were before.

A story is told of two pastors from North Carolina who were heading out on a camping/hunting trip, but first stopped at the famous Melvins’ Hamburgers and Hot Dogs for a bite to eat. Melvins’ has been around for decades and to this day lines wrap around the place to get one of their famous burgers or dogs. They come topped with plenty of onions if you go, “all the way.” After lunch they ran by Walmart for some supplies. At the checkout one of those preachers looked at the clerk and said, “Hiiiii.” To which he received the response, “Somebody’s been eating at Melvins’.”

If someone gets close to you there’s no hiding that you’ve had a Melvins’ burger. I haven’t had one yet, but it’s definitely on my bucket list.

That story reminds me of a passage from Acts.

“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13

When you hung out with Jesus everyone knew you had. You left Jesus’ presence differently than you were when you came in. Most of us have regular times of worship as a part of our Christian lives. If not we sure need to. What should never happen is that we leave the way we came in. Time with Jesus changes us. We become more mature in our walk, and increase in spiritual stature. All those who encounter us know there’s been a change.

When I finally make it to Melvins’ I’m going to have some mints with me to cover it up. When we’re with Jesus though, we won’t be able to hide it if we want to.

Following the Son,

James A Williams

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