3/8/14= The Works of Jesus

38But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.” 39Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp.

40Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. There he stayed, 41and many people came to him. They said, “Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man was true.” 42And in that place many believed in Jesus. (John 10:38-42)

Thoughts: John the Baptist did no miracles.  But his great miracle was his recognition of Christ as the Messiah.  Jesus did many miracles, but his enemies did not see these as messianic credentials.  Rather, they saw them as threats to their keeping the status quo.  John the Baptist was against just keeping the status quo- for his message was one of repentance- turning away from the norm.  But those who were open believed in Jesus.  To be open to Jesus, we must also be open to changing and humbling ourselves before God.  We can see Jesus for who He is if we are willing to humble ourselves before Him.  We can see answered prayers if we put our faith in Him.  Those who do not believe will always have "choice blindness"  to God.  

Prayer: Help me Lord to see you and your miracles.  Help me to put my faith in you, and trust in you.  

(Jordan River site where John baptized)

2/21/14- Healing and Circumcision

21Jesus said to them, “I did one miracle, and you are all amazed. 22Yet, because Moses gave you circumcision (though actually it did not come from Moses, but from the patriarchs), you circumcise a boy on the Sabbath. 23Now if a boy can be circumcised on the Sabbath so that the law of Moses may not be broken, why are you angry with me for healing a man’s whole body on the Sabbath? 24Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.” (John 7:21-24)

Thoughts: For many of us this passage seems foreign.  Jesus did not blow them off about the Sabbath.  He wrestled with the idea of Sabbath, and we should not blow the idea of Sabbath off either.  God wants us to rest, and to not be slaves to work or to entertainment/play.  The ancients used to speak of Sabbath as "re-creation."  We are re-created when we take time off to rest.  But Jesus fine tuned the definition of the Sabbath to allow for helping and healing people.  Emergencies, exceptions, helping others and grace was allowed.
    Jesus compared his healing on the Sabbath to circumcision- which also involved some effort.  Circumcision was a cleansing, a rolling back of reproach, a physical permanent signing of our covenant with God.  Circumcision represented a restoring of a right relationship with God.  Healing represented a restoring of health and strength.  Circumcision (today baptism) and healing are both signs of God's love and grace.  All are appropriate, even important for the Sabbath. 

Prayer: Lord, on your day, Lord, heal me and draw me closer to you.  Re-create me with rest, peace, and worship as I renew my covenant with you. 

2/12/14- Walking on the Water

16When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, 17where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. 18A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. 19When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. 20But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” 21Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

22The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone. 23Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus. (John 6:16-24)

Thoughts: Perhaps two of the greatest miracles in the Bible (besides the resurrection) are the feeding of the 5,000 and Christ's walking on water.  Both show Christ's power over the elements, and Christ's provision for us- both for food, and for floating in the storms of life. John adds some thing to this story- that they were three or four miles away from shore.  This means that they saw Jesus far off.  The other gospels point out that they thought Jesus was a ghost.  Jesus' answer was to "not be afraid."  The last paragraph (22-24) verify the miracle.
      Jesus conquers the raging waters, the depths of the waters, the chaos of the waters.  If He created the water, it makes sense that he has power over the water.  He is our help. 

Prayer: Help us, O Lord.  You who walked on the waters, help us to overcome our chaos and our storms. 

Ivan alvazovsky 1888