The healing of the paralytic was a sign to skeptics that Jesus and men had authority on earth to forgive sins. The scribes who questioned Jesus’ statement that the paralytic’s sins were forgiven, were said to have had evil thoughts. Jesus told the scribes that they would know that the Son of Man had authorityContinue reading “Skepticism”
Category Archives: power
Little Faith
There is a bit of irony in Jesus’ calming the wind and the waves. As he was sleeping, the disciples came to him, awakened him and out of fear called to him to save them for they were perishing. Jesus got up and first rebuked their little faith, then he calmed the wind and theContinue reading “Little Faith”
Jesus’ Truth Revealed Through Unbelief
The response of the religious leaders after Jesus’ death reveals a curious phenomenon that takes place in those who do not believe what Jesus said. The day following Jesus’ death and after he was buried, the religious leaders went to Pilate requesting that the tomb be guarded and sealed. Their reason? They remembered that JesusContinue reading “Jesus’ Truth Revealed Through Unbelief”
The Destructive Power of Fear
The account of Jesus’ trial before Pilate makes no logical sense, until you figure in the emotion that was present. Just days before, the crowd had praised Jesus as he entered into Jerusalem, declaring him to be the son of David. The religious leaders should have followed Jesus and rejoiced at his coming, because theyContinue reading “The Destructive Power of Fear”
Avoiding People Pleasing
When the religious leaders demanded Jesus to tell them on whose authority he accomplished miracles and taught the people, Jesus responded with a question of his own to them. His question revealed the perils of living as people-pleasers. Jesus responded to the leaders’ demand by asking them about John the Baptist, whether they believed thatContinue reading “Avoiding People Pleasing”
The Tenacity of Faith
As Jesus was following the synagogue ruler, Jairos, to heal his dying daughter, the crowd pressed in on Jesus. One person in the crowd, a woman, who had suffered from a twelve year long hemorrhage, was convinced that if she touched his clothes she would be healed. When she got close enough, she reached outContinue reading “The Tenacity of Faith”
The Power of Jesus
Jesus wields such great power that those who observed it were at times filled with great fear. On the occasion when Jesus asked the disciples to take him across the lake in their ship, they encountered a storm which began to overcome the ship with its waves. Meanwhile, Jesus slept in the stern of theContinue reading “The Power of Jesus”
Jesus’ Authority
How do we know that Jesus has the authority to forgive us our faults and infractions? Many consider Jesus to be a great teacher and prophet, but some of us go further and declare him to be the holy son of God and therefore divine. Why is there this difference of opinion? Jesus himself answeredContinue reading “Jesus’ Authority”
Rest In Our Father’s Care
Jesus warned his disciples not to fear what their enemies could do to them (Luke 12:1-7), because their enemies only had power in the physical realm, but no power in the spiritual. Rather, they were to respect God who had authority and power in both the physical and spiritual realms. As God cares for nature,Continue reading “Rest In Our Father’s Care”
Defeating Fear
The account of Jesus accompanying Jairos to heal his daughter reminds us of an important life principle. When messengers from Jairos’ home came to inform him that his daughter had died, Jesus told him not to be afraid. Literally, Jesus told him to stop being afraid, and believe or have faith. Jairos was to haveContinue reading “Defeating Fear”
David Freitag 