IT'S PERSONAL
Today's reading:  Acts 19-20

"A team of Jews who were traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus.  The incantation they used was this:  I command you by Jesus, who Paul preaches, to come out!"  Acts 19:13 NLT

I can see these men with crowds of demented, hurting people surrounding them.  Their fame precedes them.  Word had spread that they would do wonderful things.

Until the time came to do those wonderful things.

I can imagine they had studied Paul.  They poured over accounts of what he had said.  They could tell you each spot on the map where he had preached.  They may have even bought their robes from the same tailor he used--just to look like him.

The problem came when Jesus' name was mentioned.

It didn't do anything for this crowd of Jews, or the crowd of Jews needing miracles.

These men, though studied and attentive to Paul, didn't know Jesus.

It takes a personal relationship with God's Only Son.  It requires first-hand knowledge of Jesus.  It demanded intimate details of a life changed and a heart sold-out to the Savior of the world.

And they didn't have it.

And they couldn't imitate it.

And they wouldn't be able to make a difference in their world without it.

And you and I cannot either.