God's Amazing Power

Chuckle: After church, a Mom asked her young daughter what the lesson was about. The daughter answered, "Don't be scared, you'll get your quilt." Later in the day the perplexed Mom asked the pastor what that morning's Sunday school lesson was about. He said "Be not afraid, thy comforter is coming."

Quote: "The greatest single distinguishing feature of the omnipotence of God is that our imagination gets lost when thinking about it." --Pascal, Pensees

The Roman officer and other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, "Truly, this was the Son of God" (Matthew 27:54 NLT).

Like the public hangings which were prevalent in the earlier days of this country, the crucifixions of hardened criminals in New Testament times were not uncommon. Seeing the bleeding and lifeless body of an ordinary man hanging on a cross was not a significant event, and would only have produced reactions of grief from a few and disgust from others. But Jesus was no ordinary man, and when He died, it was no ordinary death. Those witnessing the event were awed by it all. As Jesus died, miraculous events occurred which struck terror into the hearts of the Roman soldiers and prompted their leader to say, "truly this was the Son of God."

God's power was evident in at least four miraculous events that occurred as Jesus died: (1) Darkness settled over the land; (2) The curtain in the Temple (between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place) was torn from top to bottom; (3) An earthquake rumbled and shook the ground; and (4) Some dead people were raised from their graves. The soldiers witnessed the earthquake, darkness, and possibly the people raised from their graves. When the eternal Son of the Most High God died, the event did not go unnoticed -- it was an amazing display of God's power. It's no wonder that they recognized Jesus as God's Son.

As I reflect on the power of God on display at the crucifixion and then later at Christ's glorious resurrection from the dead, I'm reminded that this same amazing power is available to you and me today. Listen to the apostle Paul: "I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty (incomparably great NIV) power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 1:19-20 NLT). How many of us really believe that this same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to us today as we serve Him in the power of His Spirit.

God wants to release His amazing power through us daily, but we must be willing to step out in faith and obedience while never doubting God's saving and sustaining power. Remember, there is nothing too difficult for our omnipotent and loving God.

 

Love, Jerry & Dotse