Readings:
I Chronicles 2
Acts 3:1-16
Focus:
Acts 3:12a:"Peter saw them coming, and met them with these words: 'Men of Israel, why be surprised at this?'"
A man who has been crippled from birth has been begging next to a well-known gate for years. He himself is well known because of this prominent position by the gate. When Peter and John come by and he draws their attention, instead of giving him a gift of money, they heal him so that he can walk.
Naturally the crowd becomes aware of this healing and comes running up astounded, but Peter greets them with the words that they are not to be surprised. It is nothing less than what God can do.
We are so often like that crowd. We expect too little of God. Miraculous healings are not commonly seen now, and possibly were used more by God at the time that Jesus is on earth. But God is capable of doing anything that he wants to do. He is, after all, God. We should not be surprised when God does something unexpected, answers a prayer in a seemingly impossible way, or changes circumstances in a way that we might have thought impossible. God can do whatever he wants. Why be surprised?
Showing posts with label miracles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label miracles. Show all posts
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Believe the Deeds
Readings:
I Kings 16
John 10:31-42
Focus:
John 10:37-38:"If my deeds are not the deeds of my Father, do not believe me. But if they are, then even if you do not believe me, believe the deeds, so that you may recognize and know that the Father is in me, and I in the Father."
People are confronted with what Jesus has done--miraculous deeds of healing and restoration. And then he says that he is one with the Father. Ignoring his amazing deeds, they decide to stone him for his supposed blasphemy in saying this. It is incredible that this is more logical to them than thinking, "He has done miracles that no one else can do! He must be the awaited Messiah!"
Before the day of Jesus, the kings of Israel turned to Baal rather than follow the God who had brought Israel out of Egypt with great signs and wonders.
It is the same today. People hear not only of the miracles of Jesus, but also of his rising from the dead. Yet it seems easier for many people to believe in "vibes", or the occult, or new age spirituality, or a host of other things, than in Jesus and the good news he offers. Perhaps it is easier to believe these other things than to change behaviors in order to follow Jesus.
I Kings 16
John 10:31-42
Focus:
John 10:37-38:"If my deeds are not the deeds of my Father, do not believe me. But if they are, then even if you do not believe me, believe the deeds, so that you may recognize and know that the Father is in me, and I in the Father."
People are confronted with what Jesus has done--miraculous deeds of healing and restoration. And then he says that he is one with the Father. Ignoring his amazing deeds, they decide to stone him for his supposed blasphemy in saying this. It is incredible that this is more logical to them than thinking, "He has done miracles that no one else can do! He must be the awaited Messiah!"
Before the day of Jesus, the kings of Israel turned to Baal rather than follow the God who had brought Israel out of Egypt with great signs and wonders.
It is the same today. People hear not only of the miracles of Jesus, but also of his rising from the dead. Yet it seems easier for many people to believe in "vibes", or the occult, or new age spirituality, or a host of other things, than in Jesus and the good news he offers. Perhaps it is easier to believe these other things than to change behaviors in order to follow Jesus.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
