Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
TO PONDER
This verse really leaves a sour taste in my mouth and I think it raises the same question in me as it does for many Christians today. Why do I not see God doing these things among his people today? Is it because we do not have enough faith? Is it because we simply do not trust or believe in God enough? Is it because there is a flaw in my theological reasoning? The reasons we could come up with would easily fill an entire library. However I suspect the real reason is because we are scared.
Are we scared that Jesus might actually show up and make our comfortable little lives a bit less comfortable? Jesus was also talking here about the Holy Spirit that would be a helper to the apostles and enable them to do even greater works than Jesus did as he himself ascended into heaven. We have seen what the Holy Spirit did at pentecost. We can see all the way through the book of Acts, the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of those that Jesus called to follow him.
He has also called you and me to believe in him and to keep up the works that he was doing. So are you?
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, help me to know when and how you are asking me to do your works so that I might be bold in proclaiming your name to those you place in my life. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.
Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
TO PONDER
There are a few different ways you might write a job description for a disciple of Jesus. The above verse might not be a bad way to start.
I think these days we often tend to lower expectations so that we, or others, are not too disappointed if we fail to reach our goal. We use phrases like, 'discipleship is about becoming more like Jesus." Now that's not wrong, but when most Christians say it they mean things like, having more patience, being 'nice' to others and being more generous with their time and money.
Again, none of that is wrong, But Jesus also commanded the wind and the waves to calm the storm, he cast out demons, and healed the sick. If we are going to become more like Jesus, shouldn't we be doing all the works of Jesus, including some of the ones just listed?
Jesus gives his disciples authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal the sick. Maybe, just maybe, there is more to being a disciple than learning to be 'nice'.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you are the source of my life and the model of what my life should look like as your disciple. Help me always to know all the ways that following you leads to fulness of life both for me but also through me to those around me. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.
Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said.
“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odour, for he has been there four days.”
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”
When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
TO PONDER
I know, I know - it's a long reading for a short devotion, but let me ask you this, what would you leave out? This story has everything, it starts with a command from Jesus, then a question or perhaps an expression of doubt from Martha. Isn't this how most of us relate when Jesus asks us to do something? "Surely you don't really want me to do that Jesus".
Then come Jesus' words of assurance, "did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?" The glory of God is the reward for those who believe in Jesus. It may not always be immediately visible or perceivable, but it is the promised reward, and God always keeps his promises.
Then there's the act of obedience, in other words, assured by the promise, the people do what Jesus asks. This too is to be our response - we may question at first, but once reassured by the promise we are to respond with obedience.
In their act of obedience Jesus brings life where there was death. Notice though how their obedience did not give them life. Their obedience brought life to someone else. This is the work of Jesus, to bring life where there is death. He asks us as his disciples to help with that work by obediently following him and his instruction so others may encounter the Glory of God through us.
PRAYER: Lord God, you bring life, even when we are surrounded by death and not able to see how you could turn things around. Forgive me when I doubt what you can do and help me to obey you in all things so that others may see your glory. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”
Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.
TO PONDER
What is Jesus willing to do that you may not be? We all know how a leper was viewed by their community at the time of Jesus; they were 'unclean' according to Jewish religious laws and as such were shunned from their communities. No one else would have been willing even to approach this man, but Jesus just reached right out and touched him and brought healing.
I sometimes wonder if Jesus is willing to do more with us than we are willing to do. What if Jesus is saying to you, "I am willing to heal this person - would you reach out your hand in my name and pray for their healing?" Or maybe Jesus is willing to break someone free of an addiction and wants you to be the one to deliver that freedom in his name. Would you be willing? Would you be prepared to trust that Jesus might actually do something and to be the one through which he does it? That is, after all, what being a disciple of Jesus is all about - following him and his direction.
Is he directing you or are you unwilling to to do the works he has prepared in advance for you to do?
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you for being willing to go to the cross to bring me life, healing and forgiveness. Help me to be willing to serve others with the same kind of sacrificial service with which you have already served me. Amen
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?
TO PONDER
This is a wonderful Psalm, I'd encourage you to open up your Bible and read the whole thing - it's not too long! But the thing that I marvel at every time I read it and it is captured to an extent in the above verses is that the God who created us, actually created humanity, specifically Adam and Eve, as the pinnacle of his creation, to rule with Him over the things of His creation. There is in this language, and in the language of Genesis chapters 1-3 in which the first humans were made to work alongside God in bringing order to the chaos that existed prior to God's creative acts.
This kind of 'working together' is then re-affirmed by Jesus who constantly reminded his disciples that he was giving them his authority to go and do the things they had seen him do, to proclaim the kingdom of heaven, to heal the sick, cast out evil spirits and to care for the need of others. He even said, you will do even greater works than what I have done when you receive the Holy Spirit.
How incredible to think that the God who created the entire universe, wants and calls you to partner with him in his work and to be part of His mission to the world!
PRAYER: O Lord, our Lord how majestic your name in all the earth! What a privilege it is to be called your child and to be invited to join you in the work of calling others into your kingdom. Please help me to grow in my faith and in my capacity to partner with you in all the plans you have for my life both now and in eternity. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.
But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”
TO PONDER
What does healing a paralysed man have to do with forgiveness of sins? You kind of have to read the whole story (Mark 2:1-12) to get what's really going on here. Jesus is making a point to those gathered around him, particularly the religious leaders, that he has the authority to forgive sins. He sets them up with the following statement, "Which is easier, to say to this man 'your sins are forgiven' or to say, 'take up your mat and walk'. That's when we get to the verse for today.
The thing about the works of Jesus is that they are not always obvious or what you might expect. The friends of this paralysed man brought him to Jesus to be healed physically of his paralysis but the first thing Jesus does is forgive him of his sin, then makes a point to the gathered crowd, and then heals the mans paralysis.
Sometimes what God wants to achieve in a situation is different to what we want or might expect. The key is to approach every situation in pray, trusting and asking Holy Spirit to guide and lead you into the works God wants to do through you. Sometimes it might very well be to pray for miraculous healing, other times it might be to sit and listen and help someone come to repentance and to announce the forgiveness of God to them, other times it might be to speak a challenging word to them about a misconception they have about God or faith.
Remember we are called to be disciples, or followers. We are no good as disciples if we are not watching and listening carefully to the one we are supposed to follow. By all means, tell him your agenda, but always be prepared to submit to his.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you gave your disciples authority to cast out demons and to heal in your name. Help me to be aware of your agenda as I go through my days. Help me not to get so caught up in my agenda, that I forget to address the work you have for me to do. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
TO PONDER
When you think of world conquerors from history such as Attila the Hun, Adolph Hitler, Genghis Khan and Alexander the Great, what is the first thing that comes to mind? I suspect it might not be very positive.
You might be thinking that these people amassed large tracts of land and built empires, usually by war with large armies and mass violence. You may be thinking that these people have made such an impact, their influence remains to this day.
We are conquerors, in fact more than conquerors, which means we can have an influence, or an impact on those around us. We are allowed to. In fact, we are called to! Because of the conquering work of God through Jesus, we can transform future history and the world around us, by our actions and reactions and words and lives. In Christ, We can transform history and affect the future, and make sure His influence remains to this day!
PRAYER: Ruler of all, thank you for loving us into your kingdom. Thank you for winning the war against the evil one and letting us continue those winning ways. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mark Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Epping.
I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.
TO PONDER
Are you ready to trample on snakes? Australia has plenty, so it might be possible. This text reminds me of the snake handling churches in the USA, that accept the alternative ending of Mark’s Gospel. This text permits followers whose faith is strong to handle deadly snakes and drink poison. (By the way, one of their leaders died recently…of snakebite).
But here Jesus is promising protection from evil while we are engaged in spiritual warfare. The previous verse has 72 missionaries returning from some ministry stuff, ‘with joy’. They are gushing about how they could work wonders through the power of Jesus. And Jesus is giving them, and us, a safe passage and protection from every assault of the enemy. Because the more ministry activities we are involved in, the more we become vibrant disciples, the more the enemy will try and sabotage it.
God remains in charge. God has the final authority. God has defeated the evil one once and for all, meaning we too have an agenda for rejoicing.
PRAYER:In our work and play Lord, continue to watch over us. Forgive us for the times we let the enemy get in the way of your work. Thank you for the protection you constantly provide. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mark Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Epping
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
TO PONDER
Interesting enough, it was Friedrich Nietzsche, philosopher, and atheist, who first coined the phrase ‘what doesn’t kill me, makes me stronger’. It’s a phrase often used and is even a hit song by Kelly Clarkson.
Our text hints at this as well. …after you have suffered a little while…and we do.
As a follower of Jesus, pretty well anything can happen. You think life will be easier being a follower of Jesus? Think again. You think there will be endless joy being a Christian? Nup! We’re not immune to the tough things that life throws at us. Christ-followers (that’s you and me) get cancer, bury children, and battle addictions. It’s not the absence of storms that sets us apart. It’s who we discover in the storm. For us people of faith, it’s how we act, and react, and handle life. Faith doesn’t make things easy; it just makes things possible. Being a Christian doesn’t mean you won’t fall. It means you won’t stay down when you do.
The final verse above tells us that the best is yet to come. We will be restored! That is something to rejoice in.
PRAYER: God, we know that life can sometimes be cruel. We know that there will be suffering ahead for us or for our loved ones. Reassure us that spending eternity will far outweigh the hassles we sometimes have on earth. In our discipleship walk, give us the words to say to those who don’t know what you offer. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mark Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Epping