Jesus Heals on the Sabbath
People watched Jesus with a hidden agenda to accuse Him. When you are walking in the works of Jesus, people will be watching and some may have hidden agendas against you. Jesus healed a man who had a paralyzed hand. When he heals, he does so completely as though what was restored was never maimed, torn, or broken. Many will reject no doubt, but many will flock to Him. The Pharisees wanted to kill Jesus because all of the attention was leaving them and being projected to Him.
Massive Crowds Follow Jesus
People had heard of all the things He did and wanted to be near Him, simply to touch Him because of the power. Today, just as it was then, if we display the Kingdom of God, through teaching, preaching and works, people would be drawn not to us. But let them be drawn to Him, for it is His power surging through us to perform these mighty signs.
Demons within people would scream out to Jesus, “You are the Son of God.” Sometimes evil spirits have more reverence for Him than His own children. Just as these demons fell at Jesus feet and recognized His authority, so can we as believers walk in that authority when we recognize Jesus within us.
Jesus Chooses Twelve Apostles
The ordination of the 12 disciples was very detailed. Jesus went up to a place set a part. He didn’t just call anyone. This speaks to hearing Jesus when He calls. These 12 men were given power to do the things Jesus was doing: casting out demons and healing the sick. Jesus didn’t hoard these gifts, but shared them. He is our example to give to others freely with humble, open hearts. As those in leadership, we should not be haughty and hoard our gifts. The specifics of nicknaming Simon “Peter,” gives insight to the character Simon would have. Peter means “stone,” and this man would be one that would be a leader in the Body of Christ. Not only he but all the disciples had purposes.
No matter where Jesus went the multitude kept coming to Him and His friends thought that He was crazy. However, He didn’t let their opinions stop Him from bringing restoration to the sick and tormented.
Jesus and the Ruler of Demons
The religious said that the miraculous things Jesus did in casting out demons and healing the sick were acts done through the prince of devils. Does it makes sense that Satan casts himself out? No, because Jesus cast out evil by the power of the Holy Ghost. Jesus didn’t force His way of thinking even on the religious, but phrased his questions so as to make the listener think.
The works of Holy Ghost are always good. He will never do evil. To call His works those of an evil source is a deliberate act of disrespect to Him and grievous to Him. To deny His beautiful works is to deny the sobering, wholesome effect the sight of His works brings to your very conscious. His works are tools to cause you to believe in Him and if you call them evil, it denotes a sinister stubbornness within your soul that Jesus says is a sin that cannot be forgiven. Be careful that you don’t point your finger at another Christian group who may be operating under the power of God in a way that you aren’t familiar with. You may be calling the works of Holy Ghost evil inadvertently.
Members of Jesus’ True Family
When Jesus’ mother and brothers came calling for Him when he was ministering among the crowds and He didn’t go to them, that didn’t mean He didn’t love them. He was demonstrating to the crowds that you can’t allow the tugging of family to sway your heart from seeking God’s purpose. Those who do the will of the Father, whether they are your biological family or not are your true family indeed.
Summary
- Anytime is good time to be healed, 1-4
- Let others be attracted to you because of Jesus, 1-4
- All power comes from Jesus, 13-15
- Beware the dangers of division, 24-26
- Know when to withdraw from the crowd, 7
- Allow God’s timing to guide your walk, 13
- Don’t let the opinions of friends define you Godly destiny, 21
- When God calls you, answer, 13
- Do not judge the power of God you don’t understand, 29
- How can your work be complete when you’re divided, 25
- Have a single-eye for the will of Christ, 32-35
- Be reverent before the Lord always, 11
