“I tell
you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he
sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does." - John 5:19
"Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick." - Matthew 14:14
Jesus was motivated to action by two things in his life: the Father's heart and compassion. These things were the basis for his life and ministry. He did not allow other influences to move him. He did not succumb to:
- peer pressure (Peter rebuking him - Matthew 16:22-23)
- social pressure (Samaritan woman at the well - John 4, multitudes leaving - John 6:60-70)
- physical pressure (his arrest, torture and crucifixion)
- legal pressure (before Pontius - Matthew 27:11-14)
- demonic pressure (his temptation in the wilderness - Matthew 4:1-11)
He was "in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin" and therefore is able to help us overcome the same temptations to be persuaded by the pressures of this world.
We must follow closely behind him and allow our motivations to be shaped by the same influences that shaped his. This world has much to offer, both good and bad. Only an intimate relationship with our Father and a heart for compassion, will keep us on the path designed for us.
There is an expectation of Jesus that we walk in supernatural power and faith. In Luke 8:22, He rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith during the storm. He called out Peter to walk on the water. He rebuked them for their lack of faith in casting out a demon (Matthew 17:20). He commissioned the disciples to "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons". He was demonstrating the life we are to lead when we follow
Him.
If there were no expectation of power, then why would He bother rebuking them? Wouldn't He instead say "Listen guys, when you run into a demon, just call me over and I'll take care of it." There is no hint that this was ever His attitude. He regularly sent them out to perform miracles because He wanted them to have the spiritual muscle necessary to continue it after He ascended and the Holy Spirit came on Pentecost.
Practice
is at the essence of learning. Hebrews
5:14 says it like this: “But solid food belongs to those who are of
full age, that is, those who by reason of use, have
their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (NKJV) We have
to have room to fail. Celebrate the things we are doing right. We are
going to get it wrong a lot of the time, but we will only develop our
senses by practicing, failing and learning. This is how spiritual
muscles are developed.
We all are qualified and expected to operate in the supernatural, just like Jesus. Jesus' command is the same for everyone - "Follow me". What exactly did Jesus do?
"Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, TEACHING in the synagogues and ANNOUNCING the Good News about the Kingdom. And he HEALED every kind of disease and illness." - Matthew 4:23
Teaching renews minds.
Announcing imparts revelation.
Healing demonstrates His authority.
Jesus declared that whoever believes in Him will do the same works He did, and even greater, because He goes to the Father (John 14:12). This is for everyone who believes, not just vocational ministers. It's for you and me.
We are qualified because the same Spirit who raised Christ from the dead resides in us (Romans 8:11). We are expected because Jesus constantly demonstrated how to walk as a man in right relationship with God and then said we would do the same.
Jesus did His miracles not as God, but as a man in right relationship with God. He showed us how to really live.
