This was my reading this morning. I love the
simplicity of The Gospel. I have heard it said, by a few ministers, that miracles,healing and
deliverance are low level manifestations of Gods presence. Although I
understood what ministers were saying when they said that, in my heart that is not accurate.
When asked if He was The One to come, what was
the answer Jesus Gave? For onlookers and spectators, that just want a show, it
may be a low level experience, but for those touched,healed,delivered and to those who have the Good News preached to them, it was The Kingdom of God being manifested to
them. Jesus: God With Us
As you read this, I want you to really take it
in. Feel the compassion and love of The Lord. Put yourself in the shoes of the
one with the sick child,the dying spouse, the dead son or the one with no hope, having The Hope of The Nations preach to you, and opening your eyes for the first time to The Grace
and Love of God.
What was Jesus sent to do, and in turn what did He
send His Disciples out to do?
Consider the following scriptures in light of these thoughts. What a major part of the continuing ministry of Jesus Christ in us and through us?
Luke 7:1-30 (NKJV)
7 Now when He concluded all His sayings in the
hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum. 2 And a certain centurion’s
servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. 3 So when he heard
about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and
heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly,
saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, 5 “for he loves
our nation, and has built us a synagogue.”
6 Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already
not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him,
“Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under
my roof. 7 Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say
the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I also am a man placed under
authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and
to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does
it.”
9 When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at
him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you,
I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” 10 And those who were
sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.
11 Now it happened, the day after, that He went
into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large
crowd. 12 And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was
being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large
crowd from the city was with her.
13 When the Lord saw her, He had compassion
on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” 14 Then He came and touched the open
coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say
to you, arise.” 15 So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He
presented him to his mother.
16 Then fear came upon all, and they glorified
God, saying, “A great prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His
people.” 17 And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the
surrounding region.
18 Then the disciples of John reported to him
concerning all these things. 19 And John, calling two of his disciples to him,
sent them to Jesus,[b] saying, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for
another?”
20 When the men had come to Him, they said, “John
the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look
for another?’” 21 And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions,
and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.
22 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell
John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the
lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the
gospel preached to them. 23 And blessed is he who is not offended because of
Me.”
24 When the messengers of John had departed, He
began to speak to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the
wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 25 But what did you go out to
see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled
and live in luxury are in kings’ courts. 26 But what did you go out to see? A
prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is he of whom it
is written:
‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
Who will prepare Your way before You.’
28 For I say to you, among those born of women
there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist;[d] but he who is least in
the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
29 And when all the people heard Him, even the
tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John. 30
But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not
having been baptized by him.
Acts 10:34-38 (NKJV)
34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In
truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But in every nation whoever
fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. 36 The word which God
sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord
of all— 37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and
began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38 how God anointed
Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing
good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
Mark 16:12-20 (NKJV)
12 After that, He appeared in another form to two
of them as they walked and went into the country. 13 And they went and told it
to the rest, but they did not believe them either
14 Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at
the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they
did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. 15 And He said to
them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who
believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be
condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they
will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up
serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them;
they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He
was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they
went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the
word through the accompanying signs. Amen.