Wonder-working Power

Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Pray: 
My God, how I love to read Your Word and learn from You. Refresh my spirit with Your Word now, I pray.
Read: 
LUKE 6:12-26

[12] One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. [13] When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: [14] Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, [15] Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, [16] Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. [17] He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coast of Tyre and Sidon, [18] who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by evil spirits were cured, [19] and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all. [20] Looking at his disciples, he said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. [21] Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. [22] Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. [23] "Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets. [24] "But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. [25] Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. [26] Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Reflect: 
How did Jesus prepare for choosing his disciples?

Imagine the scene. Jesus has spent all night praying to his heavenly Father. Morning comes, and he is ready for the big decision of choosing the twelve who will play such an important part in his ministry.

As Jesus returns to the throng, God's power shines from him (19). The atmosphere must have been electric. People are healed just by touching him. His words are powerful, too, but they may not have been what the new apostles would have expected, or wanted, to hear. Yes, Jesus tells them they are blessed, but not in the ways of the world (20, 21). They will be hated, excluded and rejected because of the Son of Man (22)! You can imagine them thinking, "It's all very well having this reward in heaven, but what about now?"

Jesus' power is real in both word and deed, and is delegated to those he calls and sends out. Do we still believe this is possible today, or do we tend to water it down a bit? We must not forget that he has called us and we are no less his disciples than the first twelve. We, too, have access to his power if we love him and seek to follow him.

Apply: 
Do you have fears about letting God show his power in you and use you? Tell him, and listen to what he says to you.
Pray: 
Lord Jesus, I thank You for calling me to follow You. Help me to be Your faithful and useful disciple.
Through the Bible In One Year: 
Exodus 13,14 / Matthew 22

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