I know I’ve written about things like this before, but I sincerely believe that Christians are called to meditate on the life and ministry of Jesus.
As we examine how He related to the heavenly Father and impacted the lives of the multitudes, we’re invited to follow a similar pattern.
I know many will insist flawed human beings could never minister in a manner similar to Jesus. They would point out that He’s God and can do things that we cannot.
I understand the hesitation.
It is true that Jesus was and is God. Nevertheless, while ministering on earth, He chose not to access His deity. As He walked around Galilee, Jesus lived as if He were mere flesh and blood, providing a compelling model for humanity (See Phil. 2:5-8).
One detractor asked, “If Jesus functioned as a man, how did He gain the transformative revelation and empowerment? How did His strength emerge, if this did not come from His deity?” These are vital questions everyone must seriously consider.
Much insight can be gained from the following passage: “But He withdrew to the wilderness and prayed. On a certain day, as He was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting nearby, who had come from every town of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal the sick” (Luke 5:16-17).
As often as He could, Jesus pulled away from the crowds and fervently sought the Father. As He turned His affections toward heaven, insight and power were accessed. These remarkable encounters became His impetus as He later advanced in mission.
Not everyone sees this, but it was the heartfelt private prayers in verse 16 that made it possible for the power to be made known publicly in verse 17. There is a direct relationship between what happens in private and what transpires in public.
It comes down to this: when believers truly do the things that Jesus did, they will express similar things.
In the midst of brokenness and pain, the rightly related are invited to reflect the goodness and glory of the Father. Even in the darkest season, the sons and daughters of the Most High will shine their light before all men. {eoa}
J.D. King, director of the World Revival Network and co-pastor at World Revival Church, is writing Regeneration: Healing in the History of Christianity. King is a sought-after speaker, writer and author.
