YOU ARE CALLED TO DO THE WORKS OF JESUS (CONTINUED)
In His early thirties, Jesus was baptized by His cousin John, who was baptizing at the Jordan River. John recognized Jesus as God’s sacrificial Lamb who had been sent to free the world from sin. At first, John hesitated, saying, “I am the one who should be baptized by you.” Jesus encouraged him that this was part of God’s plan, so John immersed Jesus under the water.
After being baptized by John, Jesus was driven into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to be tested of the devil. Jesus passed every test with flying colors, leaving the desert in the fullness of God’s Spirit, ready to begin the assignment God had given Him.
“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed…” (Luke 4:18, NKJV)
This was the mission of Jesus when He walked the earth as the Son of Man, and so it is today for His followers—you and me! Jesus had great compassion for the hurting multitudes in the world. Before He ascended to heaven, Jesus turned over to us the responsibility to care for the lost and wounded people of our day.
Not only are we to tell them about Jesus, but He gave us His authority and anointing to demonstrate the power of God to bring salvation, healing, deliverance and restoration to their lives. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me,the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.” (John 14:12, NKJV)
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature…And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:15–18, NKJV)
Are you a believer who wants to be used by God? Have you been saying, “God, when (or how or where) will you use me? I want to pray for the lost. I want to lay hands on the sick and see them recover.”? Do you feel you have a call on your life to minister to people with the compassion of Jesus…with the miracle-working power of God? Whether it is at your own local church or in your sphere of influence at work, school, or in your neighborhood, I encourage you to use the gifts God has given you to fulfill the great commission of Jesus Christ.
The time is short, and we must get busy. Haven’t we studied enough, prayed enough, received ministry and teaching enough? Isn’t it time to be “about our Father’s business” (Luke 2:49)?
Take courage—for it is not in your own ability, or wisdom, or strength that you will accomplish anything! But as you say, “Yes, Lord,” and willingly yield your time, your gifts, and your concern for dying humanity to Jesus, and say, “Use me, Lord” that He will pour into you His Spirit, His power, and His direction—step by step.
The doors will open before you, and you will know that you know that it’s time to enter in, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ… (Philippians 1:5–6, NKJV)
Do not be concerned about how, or if you have the ability to be used by God. You don’t! Only by obeying Jesus and yielding to the Spirit of God, can you or I bear fruit for God’s kingdom. “This is the word of the LORD to (you): ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6, NKJV)