More obedience brings more power
Jesus’ ministry in the days of the Gospel displayed such power the world has never before seen. He raised the dead in three occasions, He calmed the storm, multiplied bread and perhaps the greatest miracle of all was His own resurrection. In fact, Jesus became a living testimony of what God could do through an ordinary man who was fully committed to God.
As a minister who is involved in healing the sick and casting out demons in mass rallies, it is unusual to see legions of demons cast out just by one’s presence. On one occasion where the demons in a man upon seeing Jesus initiated to leave and sought permission to go into a herd of pigs (Mark 5:12-13). The deliverance that could have taken weeks or months took only a brief moment for Jesus. The manner in which Jesus rose Lazarus with such ease and confidence causes me to ask how one could obtain such power and authority. Jesus is of course the Son of God; however, He is also Son of Man, being made in the exact image of man with inherent mortal limitations. Therefore, the miracles that Jesus did, believers who love and obey God could do likewise.
Why did the Father entrust His authority to Him? What did Jesus do that earned Him the trust of the Father? In the beginning, it was not so, for Jesus too need to grow and learn just like any ordinary man. Luke 2:52 says, “And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” Jesus continued to obey the Father’s instructions single-mindedly; even in His youth, He had His sights set on the Father’s commission (Luke 2:49). After Jesus started His ministry, He said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner.” (John 5:19).
When the time came as all authority was entrusted to Jesus, it was also time for Jesus to serve His disciples and lay down His life into the hands of His enemies. John 13:3 recorded,
Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself.
Even as Jesus was given all authority to do whatever He pleased, He did only what the Father desired: He humbled Himself even to the point of death. However, His obedience to the Father was not without struggle. On a few occasions, He wrestled with the thought of the cross; its shame, suffering, and separation from God. In one of Jesus’ contemplations, He said,
“Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.”
Jesus understood our fleshly struggles when we wrestled with God on decisions that concern our future, our finances, our relationships, our fears, and our life goals. These struggles are not illegitimate or sinful, but necessary as only we hold the key to our future. Some of the decisions that we make today may have far-reaching and ranging effects, and some of which have irreversible consequences.
As we give more of ourselves to God, we will receive more power through His anointing. This is the anointing that carries the power to change the world around us. We will experience great blessings that money cannot buy, and which only God can give: continual peace, joy, significance, insights, authority, favor, health and lastly material wealth. No doubt, there are many fears and unknowns that confront us daily. But as we approach the God of grace, He gives us peace and assurance that everything will be alright. For God will not allow trials that we cannot bear to come to us. God is faithful, He will not reject us, but will shower us with His grace and lifts us up.
Jesus’ obedience earned Him the authority to transform the world. As we are found faithful by walking in His truth, He gives us the power to do the same in our community. God has placed you in your organisation, community and family for a purpose that is to show them what abundant life is and to inculcate into them the values of the Kingdom. God has ordained you to become a channel of blessings, of healing and of peace and prosperity to your community. Your words and your presence will be a manifestation of God’s truth and grace toward them. What are the values of the Kingdom?
To put the interests of your organisation and community above your own. To cover the weaknesses and failings of another and to exalt them up. To be appreciative for the work done by another. To always be hopeful that tomorrow will be better even though difficulties may remain. To always deliver on the promises that you have made. To always believe in the potential of others and remind them of their strengths. To always speak the truth and maintain integrity and honesty in the organization. To respect those who are absent during conversations.
As we endeavor to live out the above values, God will entrust to us greater power and authority to change our world.
I pray for you as Apostle Paul prayed,
To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12.