Who is Jesus?
Who is Jesus? Let’s take a short walk with him and watch for a while.
On the first Wednesday, after he begins his ministry, he attends a wedding and produces 120 gallons of wine for a large party in order to prevent the host’s embarrassment. (Jn. 2)
The next Saturday, he attends a worship service, and there meets a man demon-possessed (we have all met people like that). He tells the spirit to shut up and be gone. (Mk. 1:21ff).
The Lord’s work has just begun. Later, He walks into Peter’s home finds his mother in law sick and immediately heals her (Mt. 8:14-15)
Near the end of the same day, that evening, he heals a whole multitude of sick with various diseases. Finally, ending the day, he lays his head down for a short rest. Rising early in the morning, he goes out to have a little talk with his Father. Whereupon, he is approached by a hideous looking leper who begs for relief. Jesus consumed with compassion for the man, heals him. So starts another day in the life of this man of God.
Jesus goes home and is beset with crowds and takes the time to teach them about the salvation of the Father. The home he is in is a place filled with those seeking to know the way of the Lord. With no way to get to the Master friends of a paralyzed man, let him down through the roof, and yes, of course, Jesus heals him. (Mk. 2:1ff).
Now it is the time of the Feast of Trumpets (the birthday of Jesus) a Saturday. Strolling through Jerusalem, he approaches a famous pool where many sick are gathered. One particular fifty-year-old man catches his eye. Thirty-eight years he has been here playing helpless and self-consumed. Jesus heals the man who then swiftly betrays Jesus to his enemies. (Jn.5). (Does that sound like some people you know?)
Our walk with the Master continues, and once again, we find him in the assembly on another Saturday. Yes, again, his bitter enemies are present. Perhaps to taunt them, he asks a man with a withered hand to stand and immediately transforms the man’s hand into perfect condition. (Mt. 12:9ff). His enemies cringe with anger.
In order to give his enemies some relief the takes a short trip across the Sea of Galilee. Landing, he is met by a crazy man filled with evil demons. Yes, he quickly puts an end to their possession and returns the man to sanity. Whereupon, the leaders and people of a nearby town ask him to please leave! (Mk. 5:13ff)
Returning to his hometown, a Roman centurion meets him asking him to heal his beloved paralyzed servant. (Lk. 7:1ff). By now, you know what to expect. Jesus sends the man on his way, telling him his servant is well. O yes, we almost forgot the woman with unstoppable bleeding who sneaks up on him for healing. Catches him by surprise and achieves the impossible. This type of faith endears her to Jesus.
Leaving there, Jesus has an appointment in a nearby town. Approaching the little town of Nain, he sees his next prospect. A crowd accompanied by a popular widow is bearing the body of her dear son. Jesus stops the procession. Tells the emotionally distraught widow not to weep any longer and immediately raises her son from the dead. (Lk. 7:11ff). Any idea what you would be experiencing as a friend of this widow knowing her anguish?
There is a short interlude. Jesus attends a feast in his honor. While eating a woman only described as a very sinful woman approaches Jesus and baths and kisses his feet then anoints him with an ointment valued at $10,000, in terms of our wages. This will happen two more times over the next three years. Always by women.
Jesus overwhelmed with the difficulty of healing so many takes 70 of his followers, giving them the power to heal and sends them throughout the towns and cities to heal and to preach the word. (Lk. 10ff). Yes, there are a multitude of other deeds we have left out. Yet now you know him.
So you have met the Master. What does that have to do with us? Do you realize that a famous physician at the renowned Mayo Clinic concludes that 90% of the ills of our day are caused by emotional, spiritual problems!
James tells us that the work of the elders of the church today is to continue healing by prayer and faith. (James 5:13ff). I wonder how often we avail ourselves of this gift of the Lord. Perhaps, we would rather spend our meager resources on doctors and hospitals, which often compound the problems. You have met the Master, what do you think of him?
