As a part of an assignment for a doctoral thesis, a college student spent a year with a group of Navajo Indians on a reservation in the Southwestern United States. As part of his research, he lived with one of the Navajo families, sleeping in their hut, eating their food, working with them and generally living the life of a 20th-century Navajo.
The old grandmother of the family spoke no English, yet a very close friendship formed between them. They spent a great deal of time sharing a friendship that was meaningful to each, yet unexplainable to anyone else. In spite of the language difference, they shared the common language of love and understood each other.
Over the months, the student learned a few Navajo phrases and the grandmother picked up a little of the English language. When it was time for him to return to the campus to complete his thesis, the tribe held a going-away celebration. It was marked by sadness, since the young man had become close to the whole village and all would miss him.
As he prepared to leave, the grandmother came to tell him good-bye. With tears streaming down her cheeks, she placed her hands on either side of his face, looked into his eyes and said, "I like me best when I'm with you."
Although her English was poor and very limited, this Navajo grandmother found a way of communicating her love for this young man. She'd been changed by their relationship. She was convinced that her life was better and richer with him in it, and so she found a way to declare that truth.
Just prior to His arrest and eventual crucifixion, Jesus prays to God the Father. His prayer is recorded in the gospel according to John, chapter 17.
What is Jesus' greatest desire as He faces the cross? To glorify God by dying to pay the death penalty for the sins of all mankind.
He came to purchase our redemption. He wants people everywhere to know Him personally and live in a close relationship with Him. He wants to live with us now, and for all of eternity. He says to His Father in John 17:3 "And this is eternal life - to know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth."
And so He invites us to come to Him. "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28).
When we respond to His invitation by repenting of our sin and receiving Jesus into our lives, we enter into a relationship with Jesus that changes us day by day for the better.
And then, we should be able to say to Jesus, like this Navajo grandmother, "Lord Jesus, I like me best when I'm with you."
