Usually when we consider Jesus, we talk about His humility, His Grace, and His gentle spirit. These certainly do show. Yet, how often do we think about His Magnificent boldness and His Power shining forth. He displayed the perfect dichotomy in all aspects. So, for a moment let us consider His Power on display in Luke 4 and 5. Then let us ask, when you see His power, will you follow Jesus? Then let us consider what that means for us. If we are to truly follow Jesus, we will become more like Him each day.
It is for this that Paul prayed as recorded in Ephesians 3 (NKJV)
14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father [f]of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Jesus said, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore, be wise as serpents and harmlessas doves. Matthew 10: 16 (NKJV).
Seeing His Power
Then He went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbaths. And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority Luke 4: 31:32 NKJV
Jesus spoke with authority. He did not say, “well, I want you to consider, maybe if you want to”. Instead, His power was displayed with His directness, boldness, and knowledge. No fancy feel good additional words. Very directly, He taught the scripture and presented the truth found therein. God IS. There is no other. No room for humanity to determine truth by their feelings. God speaks ! His power created the Universe. Only His power provided a means of salvation despite humanity chasing after everything that destroys life.
Knowing His Power
Now in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. And he cried out with a loud voice, 34 saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, [n]“Be quiet, and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him in their midst, it came out of him and did not hurt him. 36 Then they were all amazed and spoke among themselves, saying, “What a word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.” And the report about Him went out into every place in the surrounding region. Luke 4: 33-37 NKJV
Satan and all his lackeys know who Jesus is and His power.
One day He will return as judge and King-the lion of Judah; but first He came as the Sacrificial Lamb so that all who believed in Him might be saved. Many may know of Him, know of His power and seek Him. Yet, never bow before Him and surrender to His will for their life. Knowing of Him and surrendering to Him are two very different things.. The demons knew Him, seeing His power; but did not surrender and follow Jesus. Many may profess to know Him, but the question is: Do you see His Power, believing that He is the Son of God who died for your sins? Will you bow before Him, repentant of your sins, accepting His gift of Salvation, believing that He is the only way, the truth and the life? Will you follow Jesus, no matter what the cost here and now?
His Power over illness
Now He arose from the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. But Simon’s wife’s mother was [o]sick with a high fever, and they made request of Him concerning her. So He stood over her , rebuked the fever, and it left her. Immediately she arose and served them. .When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them. Demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, “You are [p]the Christ, the Son of God!” And He, rebuking them, did not allow them to speak, for they knew that He was the Christ. Luke 4: 38-41 (NKJV)
Jesus has the power over sickness, illness; yet, did not want the followers to follow Him because of the gifts. We are to follow Jesus because of who He IS. Falling in love with Him, His Glory, His majesty; we follow Jesus because we love Him, every aspect. Even if He gave me nothing. If heaven and hell were not on the line, I would follow Jesus because He is worthy of all my devotion and my heart. Just to see Him. But beyond that is all the rest. The fact that He loves me is almost more than I can comprehend. Wow, with overflowing joy I follow Jesus wherever He may lead? What about you?
Follow Jesus—hearing His call
LUKE 5 (nkjv) So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, 2 and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. 3 Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.
4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
5 But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” 6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”
9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” 11 So when they had brought their boats to land, they [a]FORSOOK ALL and followed Him.
Forsaking all to Follow Him
They forsook all and followed Jesus. What about you and me? Are you willing to forsake all and follow Jesus? Seeing His Power and knowing it is within you, are you willing to boldly proclaim the truth of the gospel unashamedly to a world in need of Jesus, whatever the cost?
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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Disclosures
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Credits
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.