It might be February but I'm still mulling truths from Tim Keller's Hidden Christmas---in particular the name Immanuel. Immanuel is the person of the incarnation.
He is God. He is human. He is with us. He is God with us! (p.53)
Christ chose twelve that they might be "with Him." (Mark 3:14)
What does "with Him" mean contextually as Matthew and the other gospels describe this relationship as well? Being in their Rabbi's presence. Sitting at His feet. Close enough to Him to be "sitting in His dust." (John Ortberg)
Being with Him is all about relationship.
Being in Jesus' presence, for us, is also about that intimate relationship with Him---conversing with Him, (prayerful conversation is two-way and involves both listening and speaking) learning from Him and having His comfort moment by moment.
The purpose of the Incarnation was to have that relationsship with Him.
To be able to choose relationship, one must know a relational God and desire to be with Him!
