March 12th The Authority of Jesus Pt4
Bible comments to go with Sandy's preaching. This term it is on Mark's Gospel. Please share you own questions or comments on what I say.
I hope that I have established over the past three days that Jesus taught in the authority of his Father and performed healings and miracles in the power of the Holy Spirit. This understanding is vital as we take the next step, and that is the commission that Jesus gave to us. In John 14:12 we read what at first seem like outrageous and impossible words from Jesus: “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” And then at the end of Mark’s Gospel we read: “And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” Mark 16:17-18.
Here is where our understanding from the past three days comes into focus. If we believe that Jesus said what he said and did what he did with his own innate authority and power as the divine Son of God then these verses from John and Mark are surely an utter impossibility! How could we do what Jesus had been doing and do even greater things – after all he was God walking the earth? For us to live lives like Jesus – which is what he seems to be suggesting would be both impossible and ludicrous if Jesus was not living with the same human restrictions that we live with.
But if we believe that Jesus taught with the authority of the Father, cast out demons in the same Father’s authority, healed and did miracles in the power of the Holy Spirit, then to live like Jesus becomes at the very least a possibility! As we read the Bible it becomes clear that the relationship that Jesus had with his Father is also open to us as we have the same Heavenly Father, we are sons and daughters of God almighty, we are brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ. Romans 8: 15-17 says: “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs— heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
What is more the same power that was released on earth through the healings and miracles of Jesus is available to us as well. Acts 1: 8 says: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you” – the same power that was at work in Jesus can also be at work in and through us.
I am going to end with a bold statement and a amazing prayer from the Bible. The bold statement is this: The pattern for the normal Christian life today should look like the life of Jesus.
The prayer is one that the writer to the church in Ephesus prayed for them and we would do well to pray it for our own Christian community as well:
“For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” Ephesians 1: 15-23