December 30, 2012
Let’s turn to 1 Corinthians 1:18. Do we think of the cross when we think of God’s power? But here we have the power of God - not in creation, but in something more powerful. Read Ephesians 1:18 & 19. How blessed to see God’s power in the accomplishment of the new creation!
Hymn 48 - There is life in a look
Prayer
A computer is a device that receives and gives information. We can input information by speaking, typing, CDs and so on; then, we can output information by printing, making CDs, and in other ways, too. Our bodies are quite similar. Our five senses—sight, smell, taste, touch and hearing—are what receive the information: our inputs. Then, with this information we are able to walk, talk, work, and so on: our outputs. In today miracles, we will read about some men who had problems with either their inputs or outputs.
Matthew 9:27 - 30
As Jesus was walking along, these blind men called out to Jesus for mercy. These men didn’t have one of their inputs: they were blind. Each of us here is blessed to have all of our inputs. These men told Jesus that they believed that He could heal them, and so Jesus touched them, and gave them their sight. These men were healed because of their faith.
Matthew 9:31 - 33
This man had lost one of his outputs: the demon that possessed this man had taken away his ability to talk. Jesus spoke and the demon left this man and he was able to speak again.
Just like computers, our bodies have inputs and outputs. In these stories, we read about men who had lost one of their inputs or outputs. It reminds us of how we were before salvation. We were blind to spiritual things. Our hymn said, “There is life in a look.” All we need to do is to look to Jesus to be saved. Then, after we’re saved, we are able to use our speech to praise Him as He ought to be praised.
Luke 19:11-27
Last week we looked at the story of Zacchaeus. Jesus is still heading towards Jerusalem and His crucifixion. He had told His disciples that he would be taken by the elders, die, and rise again; but they still thought that he would set up the kingdom immediately. They were looking for a coronation, not a crucifixion.
So Jesus told the disciples a parable. V12. Jesus was the nobleman and He was going back to heaven. He is receiving His kingdom in the far country, and we look for Him to return.
In verse 13 the nobleman called His servants. Before He left He wanted to have a word with them. He had ten servants, and ten pounds, and He gave each servant a pound. Who are the servants? They’re mentioned in the story of the prodigal son—the Father told them to give His son the best robe, sandals, and a ring—and when the other nobleman made the wedding supper He sent His servants to gather guests from the highways and hedges. Who are the servants? They’re a picture of us.
We don’t work for our salvation, but once we are saved God gives us work to do. He also gives us something to work with. There were ten servants—ten speaks of administration—and this nobleman gave a pound to each of them. In the parable of the talents, each servant was given a different number of talents, but here everybody gets the same number. The talents in the parable of the talents represent abilities, while the pounds in our parable are opportunities. Some people are very gifted, while others are not; and with more ability comes more responsibility. We all, however, have opportunities to serve the Lord. We all have our pound.
It’s important to use what the Lord gives us. Some of the servants showed an increase in what the Lord had given them, and we should all use what opportunities we have to serve Him. Think of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, when they made a meal for Jesus. Martha served, Mary anointed His feet, and Lazarus sat at the table with Him. Mary usually gets all the credit in that story, but she shouldn’t; for if Martha hadn’t served, there would have been no dinner. Martha was using her pound, too.
However, when Mary—although unnamed—anointed Jesus’ feet in the book of Mark, Jesus gave her this important commendation: “She hath done what she could” (Mark 14:8). We are responsible to use every opportunity that we are given; to do what we can. We don’t always see the fruit of our labour, but labour we must. As the saying goes: “It’s not your ability, but your availability”.
Our Lord was the perfect servant, and once we get to heaven He will serve us. Meanwhile, He has given us gifts and we must be faithful to use them. We are His servants, and—Revelation 22:3 tells us—we will still be serving Him in the end. May we hear Him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant, be thou ruler over five cities.” If we are faithful here, He may give us a job in His kingdom.
We might think that it would be nice to give souls to our Lord. That’s good, but souls are not the only thing to bring. Remember Jesus’ words in the letter to Sardis: “Strengthen the things which remain” (Revelation 3:2). May we be encouraged to encourage one another.
Hymn 341 – Jesus bids us shine
Prayer