The fact is obvious that Jesus Christ promised His disciples’
power and they were waiting for it. “And He said
unto them, it is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the father
hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost
is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in
all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts
1:7-8)
That was why the disciples were in a room waiting
patiently for this power that Jesus promised them. They were all afraid of,
their persecutors and also afraid to preach the gospel because they knew that
they had not received power. But immediately they received power on the day of
Pentecost they knew. They were aware of this power to become the sons of God.
Their fears of being killed disappeared and they were griped by the spirit of
boldness.
“And when
the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one
place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind,
and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto
them cloven tongues like as of fire and it sat upon each of them. And they were
all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the
spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:1-4)
They knew that tremendous power has descended upon
them and that was the reason they went immediately into the cities preaching
the gospel despite the risk of being killed. To confirm this power apparently,
Peter and John when they saw the cripple at the beautiful gate demonstrated it
upon him because they knew that they had received it.
“Then peter
said, silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: in the name
of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right
hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received
strength.” (Acts 3:6-7).
Note that one cannot experience the power of
resurrection with out affliction, trials, tribulations and troubles if we
actually wish to be like Jesus Christ. We (believers) must carry his cross and
be ready to be crucified with Him so that we can equally resurrect with Him.
Moreover it is only in the Lord our Father and our Lord
Jesus Christ that we can receive grace and peace.
‘Grace
and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ’. (2 Cor . 1 : 2
NIV)
Note that without grace
and peace
from the Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father, we can neither survive nor
overcome afflictions and troubles. Moreover, without grace and peace from the Lord,
we (believers)
cannot be comforted during our trials, tribulations and troubles. Our comfort
must certainly come from the grace and peace we received from the Lord. Note
that without power of resurrection, we will receive no grace and peace.
‘Praise
be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and
the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can
comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
For
just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ
our comfort overflows’. (2 Cor . 1: 3 – 5 NIV)
It is only in Christ that we
can have our comforts despite afflictions or troubles we are passing through.
Note that the higher the troubles, the greater the grace and peace given to us
(believers) to overcome these troubles. That means, in all circumstances, we
are more than conqueror. For we can do
all things through Christ that gives us strength (Phi. 4: 13)
St. Paul says:
I
want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of
sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, some how, to
attain to the resurrection from the dead.’ (Phi. 3: 10- 11 NIV)
Do you really want to know
Jesus Christ and the power of his resurrection? Do you also wish to enjoy in
the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings? If you are willing to do these,
you must pray for the lord’s grace and peace.
Concerning Martha and Jesus
Christ with respect to Lazarus
Martha knew there is power of
resurrection at the last day but did not know that Jesus Christ is the
resurrection and the life. When we believed in Jesus Christ even when we die we
live because we (believers) were crucified with Him and resurrected with Him.
Martha
answered, ‘I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day’
Jesus
said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will
live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.
Do you believe this?’ (John 11: 24 -26 NIV)
Do you believe this? Are you
aware of this power of the resurrection? The power of the resurrection can not
be separated from the power of life. The power of the resurrection gives life.
And Jesus Christ is the power of the resurrection that gives life.
In Him
was life, and that life was the light of men
(John 1: 4 NIV)
Consequently, outside Him, there
is no life and no light. This also implies that outside Jesus Christ, there is
full darkness or blackout. There is confusion in the whole world because of
darkness which we are seeing today in most parts of this world.
The
thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have
life, and have it to the full.
(John 10: 10 NIV)
You can obviously see that
Jesus Christ by the power of his resurrection gives us life and life to it’s
full. That was why after four days in the grave He called Bro. Lazarus back to
full life unto God’s glory. Every dead or decaying situation in your life must
come back to life by the power of his resurrection in Jesus name. Amen. By the
power of his resurrection there is hope for you again in your marriage,
business, schooling and ministry. Amen.