Day 277

By
Jesus Healing the Blind

Scripture

October 3—Matthew 8-11: Works of the Christ

Observation

Jesus' claims are no idle boasts. His works of healing show that his words of healing can be trusted with confidence. By proving he has authority over disease and demons, death and darkness, Jesus is also demonstrating his ability to dispel spiritual darkness. Nine times in chapters 8-9, Jesus exercises his divine power to dramatize his authority. An authority he now entrusts to his disciples as they multiply the Master's ministry to the "people of Israel—God's lost sheep" (10:6).

Application

Consider each pair of statements below; which one is easier to believe? (Incidentally, they're all true!) Is it easier to believe that the Statue of Liberty weighs 225 tons, or crocodiles sleep with their eyes open? Or the watermelon was originally from Africa, or the average seven-inch lead pencil will draw a line thirty-five miles long? How about the sky weighs about five and a half million billion tons, or newborn kangaroos are about one inch in length?

In each case you probably picked the second choice because it can be experientially verified. You can examine a newborn kangaroo, draw a line with a pencil, or study a crocodile's sleep habits (carefully!) to prove the statement is true.

Now do you see why Jesus' miracles were so important? Who can say to a sin-scarred soul, "I forgive your sins"? (Answer: Anyone!) Who can heal a paralyzed body, and thereby prove he has power to forgive sins? (Answer: No one but God alone!) Can you think of one tangible evidence in the form of a changed habit or healed relationship that shows Jesus Christ has been at work in your life over the past month?

Prayer

Almighty God, we know that the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. But we also know that righteousness means obeying you according to your Word. Please help us be obedient for it makes us co-heirs of the wealth of Christ. We receive the riches of His grace through the Holy Spirit, who will abide with us and be in us. We want to glorify you with our life while we give you all the honor, the praise and the glory! In Jesus' name we pray! Amen!
 
Abide in Us!




© Odessa Mathis about my Father's business! 2020

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