Scripture Read: 2 Jn 12-13 Though I have many things to write to you, I do not want to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, so that your joy may be made full. 13 The children of your chosen sister greet you.
Application: Relationship, how important is it? In this day and age what does it really mean? We text people in words that only texters can understand? (Even the word texter is not a word, but we use it.) We say we have 1000 “friends” on face book – some of those friends do not even have their face on face book and we really don’t know them, but they have “friended” us. (Another non-word) The Bible seems to emphasize a different kind of relationship… “face to face”. So much is made of the need for real relationship. Connecting at a deeper level than just an acquaintance. This term is used 13 times and it is clear that the key is a personal connection that is emphasized. In every case close connection is the issue.
Genesis 32:30 So Jacob named the place Peniel, for he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been preserved.”
Exodus 33:11 Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses returned to the camp, his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.
Deuteronomy 5:4 “The Lord spoke to you face to face at the mountain from the midst of the fire,
Judges 6:22 When Gideon saw that he was the angel of the Lord, he said, “Alas, O Lord God! For now I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face.”
Jeremiah 34:3 ‘You will not escape from his hand, for you will surely be captured and delivered into his hand; and you will see the king of Babylon eye to eye, and he will speak with you face to face, and you will go to Babylon.’ ” ’
Jeremiah 32:4 and Zedekiah king of Judah will not escape out of the hand of the Chaldeans, but he will surely be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he will speak with him face to face and see him eye to eye;
Ezekiel 20:35 and I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there I will enter into judgment with you face to face.
Acts 25:16 “I answered them that it is not the custom of the Romans to hand over any man before the accused meets his accusers face to face and has an opportunity to make his defense against the charges.
1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. [1]
2 Corinthians 10:1 Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent!
2 John 12 Though I have many things to write to you, I do not want to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, so that your joy may be made full.
3 John 14 but I hope to see you shortly, and we will speak face to face.
How true this needs to be for all of us as we connect with individuals we want to have a relationship with You Lord. That is why religion can enlist the masses so easily – no commitment or connection. We “sold” someone on our brand and they bought it. Not so with the relationship You desire Oh Lord. You are not calling people to a religion but a living, changing and growing relationship. We are suppose to model that. It is not always possible but we should try to make our interactions with people “face to face”. That will cost us time, but especially in this age we need to show those we care about, that we do care about them. Speding time sharing there life makes a greater statement than any text, post or email can ever do. Father, our world is so busy and we must exist in it, guide us to balance Father so we help those we love know that You love them also! 
* Meditation Questions: When was the last time you set time aside to pray for those you love? How often to you MAKE time to be with friends and family? If we asked a friend what you are like how well could they describe you? What does that say?
[1] New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (Ge 32:30). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
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