Tag: raise the dead
Day 3–Power to Assist the Hurting
Scripture reading for February 18: Matthew 10:5-8 “These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons.” You received without paying; give without pay.”
Each time a call for help comes in over ‘911’, responders are dispatched to go and help. Their training and equipment and authority from their position enables them to go and deal with whatever problem is needing assistance. We are not to show favoritism towards any nationality or social status, but help whoever is in need. As volunteers, we don’t do what we do for money and that is true of the vast majority of those receiving a salary. We are there to help because of a calling on our lives and have freely given of our time and effort. We go to those in need with ‘good news’ that someone in the community cares about them and is there to help.
Jesus sent out the twelve first disciples giving them specific instructions that were for them at that time. They were to go only to the house of Israel, not to Samaritans or other Gentile peoples. Their assignment was to proclaim the kingdom of heaven to those who had been prepared by their calling and training through Scripture. As a demonstration of the kingdom, Jesus empowered them with authority to heal those who were sick or afflicted. They were empowered to raise the dead and to cleanse those with the destructive disease of leprosy. Finally, they were given authority to cast out demons. The kingdom of heaven present meant that the old order of darkness and death must go. The results amazed everyone, including the disciples!
As a ‘faith’ responder, are you aware of the authority and calling that God has given you as a disciple of Jesus Christ? If you are also a first responder, do you seek guidance from the Holy Spirit for your response to each incident?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending Your people out to reach others who are hurting, and now to every nationality or background or age. Give me new boldness to apply Your Word to each incident and seek to bring the kingdom of heaven near to each person in their need. Amen.
The Lord’s compassion
Scripture reading for March 21st: Deuteronomy 6-9, Luke 7
Luke 7:12-16 “As He drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her. And when the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then He came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited His people!”
The reason behind the provisions of the abundant life flowing to us is the Lord’s compassion and mercy. In the story of the raising of the dead son of the widow, we see Jesus’ having compassion on this widow who had lost her only son and the source of her care. Jesus was moved to confront death and brought comfort to the woman by raising the dead son to life with a Word! This miracle caused people to fear God and declare God visiting them. When Jesus forgave the sinful woman who was anointing His feet with her tears, Jesus’ compassion again was evident towards all sinners. Jesus here indicated that this woman’s faith in His compassion and ability to forgive sins had brought salvation and an abundant grace!
Luke 7:48-50 “And He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Then those who were at table with Him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, Who even forgives sins?” And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you.””
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your great compassion! Your love towards sinners and the suffering moves me to seek more of Your compassion in me. I offer myself to You to allow Your compassion that will bring people to honor You and believe Your Word and experience salvation through faith by grace.
Deuteronomy 9:6 “Know, therefore, that the Lord your God is not giving you this good land to possess because of your righteousness, for you are a stubborn people.”
Jesus and the Father are working!
Scripture reading for October 28th: John 5
Key Scriptures: John 5:17-21 “But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because not only was He breaking the Sabbath, but He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God. So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of His own accord, but only what He sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows Him all that He Himself is doing. And greater works than these will He show Him, so that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom He will.””
Jesus had been doing miracles on the Sabbath and the religious leaders were beside themselves. They were persecuting Jesus because of this and then Jesus added another reason for them to plot His death. He stated plainly that God was “His Father” and that both of them were working in the miracles of healing that were being done. In fact, Jesus only did what He saw His Father doing. In fact, Jesus announced, that greater works would be coming. The Father would raise the dead and give them life and the Son would do likewise giving those who believe His Words, eternal life. These statements caused the Jews to judge Jesus as a blasphemer as well as a Sabbath-breaker and worthy of death under the Old Testament law. Jesus said that He would not accuse them, but they would be judged by Moses–the Word that revealed Jesus as Messiah.
John 5:45-46 “Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote of Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”
Faith confession and prayer: Father God, thank You for working on my behalf and sending Your Son to work the greatest miracle–salvation for mankind! I believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and trust Him for full salvation and eternal life. Open doors of witness today to share this good news with those who have not heard that Your work may be completed.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”