Savior or Miracle Worker?

Have you ever wondered why Jesus would constantly heal people but then respond along the lines of "See that you don't tell this to anyone." There are many stories in the Gospels where Jesus does a miracle by healing someone of their sickness or casting out demons and then tells them not to tell anyone that He healed them. I used to think this was bizarre. Why wouldn't the Son of God want people to know that He could heal them? That is exactly the issue. Jesus did not want to be known as the miracle worker who healed the sick. He wanted to be known as the Savior of the world who took on our sins and died for us on the cross.

In Matthew 16, Jesus asked His disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" They respond that some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, and others one of prophets. Then Jesus asked Peter, "Who do you say I am?" Peter responds, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."

Whether you believe it or not, Jesus died for your sins. He is not just a sinless human who did incredible wonders. He is the Son of God who rose three days later to conquer death and sin. He is to be worshiped and honored. He wants your heart, not because you want to see miracles but because you believe He is the Savior.

Whose Standard?

Dr. Joseph Stowell always used to preach, "We are a fallen race in a fallen place." That couldn't be more true but my question is: if people don't know that they are 'fallen' people, how can we as believers hold them to the standard of the Gospel? You see this all over the news and with celebrities. We talk about Tiger Woods and his exposure, Whitney Houston and her crack addiction, people sleeping with whoever, etc, etc. We are so quick to be so disappointed in what we hear around the world when in reality, they don't know better. It shouldn't surprise us that people are sleeping around, doing drugs, beating people physically and verbally, etc. If one doesn't know they have a disease, how can they be willing to accept the cure?

We do it all the time as church goers when 'different looking' people walk into the building. We judge people based off what they wear and how they talk before we know what they are going through. 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 says, "What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside..." We can't expect non-believers to act like a believer so why do we judge them like one? Why do we get surprised when worldly people live worldly? If true believers would understand this, more people would be inside our churches hearing the Gospel. We would have a wider range of people willing to talk about their issues. We would see people for who they really are and genuinely love them like God intended. The real surprising and sad issue is the amount of believers who know the truth yet walk in a manner similar to Tiger Woods.

Words With Meaning

We throw around phrases of 'love' and feelings. We know the 'right' things to say and Bible verses to preach. We tell people we are praying for them and their circumstances. We have all done it, throw out these 'comfort' words but if you were to evaluate the words you say to others, do they render true? Do you prove your words of affirmation with actions? Do you live by those words of advice and Bible verses you know? Do you really pray consistently for the people you say you will pray for?

I am asking you to be a person that diligently lifts people up in prayer. If not, don't bother telling people you are praying for them. It's not hard to take 20 minutes out of your morning to cover the people you love in prayer. I started doing this my senior year of college. I wrote down all the names of my friends, family, and the ministries that I had ties too with the prayer requests they had. I posted it right next to my bed on my wall and prayed for each person every morning and every night. I challenge you to do the same. It will only benefit your prayer life and the lives of those you love. Pastor Carl Lentz of Hillsong NYC said something last week that rocked me...He said, "Don't allow the enemy to take up land it does not own. How can you occupy all streets with the Gospel if the devil occupies your street?" Wow. The devil doesn't own your life but he is constantly fighting for it. We need to fight back and it starts with prayer. In the book of Job, the Lord asks the devil twice, "Where have you come from?" The devil responds, "From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it." 1 Peter 5:8 says that the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. The only time the devil fears you is when you are praying. How much stronger would we be if we lifted each other up in prayer!

The Storm

I came across an interesting fact the other day. In Matthew 14:22-36 is the story of Jesus walking on the water. He had just fed 5,000 plus people with only 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. Then it says that Jesus told his disciples to go by boat to the other side while he went up the mountain to pray. The wind was against the disciples so they were battling the high seas all night. They were about 3 or 4 miles off the shore when Jesus decided to walk on water. When the disciples noticed Him, it says they were terrified and cried out or shook in fear. Have you ever been so scared in your circumstances that you shook with fear? Immediately Jesus said to them, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."

Peter then wants proof, so Jesus gives him one word, "come". Just one word! Not a sentence, not a promise, not assurance that Jesus would hold him up. Think about that...how many times has God asked you to obey Him with one word? How many times do we ask for a sign or assurance or details? God only wants you to obey, even if it's one word!

The interesting fact I wanted to show however comes after this scene. Starting in verse 33 after they climb into the boat and Jesus calms the wind it says, "Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying 'Truly you are the Son of God'." This is the first time recorded in the Bible that the disciples worshiped Jesus and it wasn't until they had been through a 'storm'. Storms are designed to grow our faith. Take courage, don't be afraid. God is with you and will bring you through this storm in your life. Listen to Him, obey His commands, and praise His name for He is worthy! Trials change hearts, and your breakthrough is just around the corner.