“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13 ESV).
Something extraordinary happens to ordinary people when they spend time with Jesus. When Peter, the former fisherman, stood before a council of powerful religious leaders and spoke with amazing confidence, they were shocked at his bold eloquence. He and John had no formal training under famous rabbis like Gamaliel, no degrees, no worldly prestige. Yet what they had was unmistakable: they had been with Jesus.
What gave these men authority was not education or status, but transformation. Their time with Jesus had forever changed how they spoke, lived, and led. Even their enemies could see it.
Can people tell that we’ve been with Jesus? Do our words carry grace and truth? Do our lives reflect Christ’s character, His compassion, humility, courage, and power? Time with Jesus leaves a mark. Not just in what we say, but how we love, how we serve, how we stand firm under pressure. It’s not about impressing others; it’s about abiding in Christ so deeply that His life overflows through ours.
Let’s make it our daily aim to spend time with Jesus, reading His Word and abiding in His Spirit. May we be known not for our achievements or charm, but for the unmistakable evidence that we’ve been with Jesus.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we want others to recognize that we’ve been with Jesus. Let His presence shape our words, our actions, and our attitudes today. Fill us with the Holy Spirit, that we may walk in Christ’s courage and compassion. Help us to reflect His light in every conversation and situation. In Jesus’ name, amen.