Today’s Lectionary Readings: Psalm 89; Job 38:1-11; Matthew 17:14-21; Acts 2:43-47
When I was growing up, there was a tremendous amount of emphasis placed upon the stories that told of the miracles Jesus performed in my Sunday school and Vacation Bible School classes. There was one dimension of the New Testament experience, however, that was entirely left out. That dimension was referred to in today’s passages from Matthew and Acts. An important point is made in those passages; the point being that Jesus’ followers have been empowered to do the same sort of work that Jesus did. This point is particularly clear in the passage from Matthew where – following the disciples botched attempt to heal a man’s son who had been racked with seizures – Jesus said, “The simple truth is that if you had a mere kernel of faith, a poppy seed, say, you would tell this mountain ‘Move!’ and it would move. There is nothing you wouldn’t be able to tackle” (Matthew 17:20 – The Message). My question for you today is this: Do you believe that? As you survey the challenges and opportunities that lie before you in your life, do you operate from this amazing sense of empowerment of which Jesus spoke; or do you see yourself as a victim whose life is determined by elements beyond your control? As you face those challenges, I encourage you to remember today’s passage from Matthew and then go forth and move the mountain in your life. Til next time…
When I was growing up, there was a tremendous amount of emphasis placed upon the stories that told of the miracles Jesus performed in my Sunday school and Vacation Bible School classes. There was one dimension of the New Testament experience, however, that was entirely left out. That dimension was referred to in today’s passages from Matthew and Acts. An important point is made in those passages; the point being that Jesus’ followers have been empowered to do the same sort of work that Jesus did. This point is particularly clear in the passage from Matthew where – following the disciples botched attempt to heal a man’s son who had been racked with seizures – Jesus said, “The simple truth is that if you had a mere kernel of faith, a poppy seed, say, you would tell this mountain ‘Move!’ and it would move. There is nothing you wouldn’t be able to tackle” (Matthew 17:20 – The Message). My question for you today is this: Do you believe that? As you survey the challenges and opportunities that lie before you in your life, do you operate from this amazing sense of empowerment of which Jesus spoke; or do you see yourself as a victim whose life is determined by elements beyond your control? As you face those challenges, I encourage you to remember today’s passage from Matthew and then go forth and move the mountain in your life. Til next time…
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