Truth…who’s in your circle? Who has a front-row seat in your life, your struggles, your celebrations? We all crave closeness, but real connection takes guts, intention, and a vulnerability. So, who are you letting get close? And, are you intentional about who stays?
John didn’t settle for halfway. He chose closeness—standing at the cross, sprinting to the tomb, showing up when it mattered most. Proximity? It’s a game-changer.
Your connections are Major. They shape your story, your faith, and your future.
Scripture Anchor
Jesus said in John 15:4-5 – 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
Personal Insight
Many years ago, when my niece was first entering college after graduating early, I presented her with a diagram I titled “the social circle.” I talked through the social circle diagram and explained that, first and foremost, we can’t do life alone; we need someone in our corner. Second, we decide who is part of our social circle, where they fit, and, over time, people move in and out of it.
Look at this diagram and think about the people that fit into these three circles: the outer, the inner, and the core. The people at the core of your circle are the ones who are the closest to you. These are the people who have your back – they’re ride or die. They provide support. They understand the real you without explanation. You know, they’re the ones you can call day or night, regardless of time or location, and they will see about you. The opposite, in fact, is true of the outer circle folks. Ultimately, we decide who fits in what parts of our social circle. We do this by defining the relationship – our connection to people.
Time given and access granted normally determine proximity.
Think about it, people saved in your phone contacts fall somewhere on the social circle (or not)…your co-workers, the people you hang with at church, too. I always ask myself, where is Jesus in my social circle? Where is Jesus in your social circle? Take a moment to add the circle to your personal journal. Write down the first people who fit easily into these categories. Now, prayerfully consider writing down where Jesus currently fits in your life. Write down where you want him be. Review this throughout the year, and let it guide you toward a closer relationship with HIM.
Pursuing Closeness Is A Radical Move
John didn’t just follow Jesus—he chased after closeness. While others scattered, John pressed in. He stood at the cross, ran to the empty tomb, and refused to be a bystander. The takeaway? Proximity to Christ isn’t passive. It’s a bold, daily, intentional choice—and it changes everything.
Getting close to Jesus changes everything—from your confidence to your calling.
Following at a Distance vs. Nearness – St. John 18:15–16
I imagine there was a lot going on in St. John 18; Jesus had just been arrested and was about to be tried in court. In verse 15, John notes a connection he had with the high priest, those who were after Jesus. The High priests were part of John’s outer circle; he had a connection, you know, but John wasn’t in a close relationship with them. He leveraged this connection to get to Jesus. The connection to the high priest was peripheral and perhaps superficial, but it was important because it gave him access to places he would not normally have. I love how in verse 16, John uses the access granted by the high priest to take Peter, who was part of his inner circle, into the courtyard. He didn’t leave his friend behind. He used his connection to give Peter the hook-up.
John Looked for Opportunities to be Near Jesus
He and Peter followed Christ at a distance. While the other disciples scattered and bounced, Peter and John held steady, following Christ at a distance. They got as close as they could in that moment.
But in his personal pursuit of Jesus, it was interesting to me that John always managed to get closer to Jesus. He looked for ways to be near Jesus. Even when Peter hung back in the courtyard and joined the crowd, warming himself by the fire, John moved closer to Jesus.
As I reflected on John’s actions, I saw how this relates to our spiritual relationship. John understood the power of closeness. You don’t wake up one morning and suddenly find yourself close to Jesus. But John did not stop there…
At Jesus’ trial, John went deeper; he followed Christ into the INNER council chamber, where Jesus was questioned and put on trial. So John had MORE access than even Peter did during Jesus’ last days.
John at the Cross– St. John 19:25–27
But John did not stop there; from the inner chamber, he followed Jesus all the way to the very place of crucifixion. He was the Only male disciple at the cross.
I heard a Pastor say this recently, “We can be as close to Jesus as we want to be.”
Here’s the real talk: You can be as close to Jesus as you want. For real. No gatekeeping. No VIP list. Jesus invites you in—front row, no barriers.
Choosing Nearness Today – John 15:1-17, a Friend of Jesus, Abiding
John always saw Jesus at the core of his relationship. He did not allow any connection, whether in the outer or inner social part of his life interfere with his core relationship.
John was consistently serious about staying close to God and cultivating a relationship with Jesus, no matter where the pursuit took him.
We don’t want to follow at a distance. Close proximity means so much. It means we can have a very close relationship with Jesus. And, in a moment of His choosing, Jesus will entrust us with revelation.
Jesus is inviting you—yes, you—to get close. In John 15, He says, “ABIDE.” That’s not just a churchy word. It means: be constant, endure, stick around, stay rooted, unshakeable, ride-or-die. That’s the flow. And honestly? That kind of closeness is a total game-changer.
Relocate Yourself
Challenge: Move yourself closer to Jesus—through prayer, worship, real christian community, and intentional pursuit. Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Start today. Show up messy, show up honest, but just show up.
Remember: Proximity is Intentional
Proximity is intentional. Like John, choose closeness, and watch how intimacy (close association, friendship with Jesus) transforms your walk.
In this season of your life, connections matter. Be intentional about the folks in your circle. A new year is approaching. Who will you add to your circle? This is a great time to join a Bible study at church or a virtual Christian community. Lean into others who are serious about deepening their pursuit of Jesus.
Next Post: Entrusted with Secrets: When God Shares His Heart
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