Power (Dictionary): Strength, or might; the ability to do or act; authority or influence.
Power (Bible): Strength; power; miraculous power.
Luke 5: 16-17 16But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray. 17One day He was teaching; and there were some Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was present for Him to perform healing. (NASB)
Luke 5: 16-17: 17One day as he was teaching, Pharisees and religion teachers were sitting around. They had come from nearly every village in Galilee and Judea, even as far away as Jerusalem, to be there. The healing power of God was on him. (MSG)
The “power” here is “dunamis” which means miraculous power and strength.
John 15: 7, 8: “7If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. 8When you bear (produce) much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified, and you show and prove yourselves to be true followers of Mine.” (AMP)
As children of God we have been granted a special privilege to read and study how our Lord walked out His life. Everything Jesus did was there to teach us and to help us know God and His will. He deeply wanted us to know the heart of God!! In Luke 5 we see the result of a submitted, anointed life. We see Jesus available to teach and to heal-even while others are watching with a critical spirit.
Jesus was prepared because He had spent time alone with His Father in prayer. Jesus was a pray-er and therefore we must consider this and have the same heart. He has shown us what to do. As we humble ourselves and seek God, the anointing comes. It comes to be “present” and on us! Out of this comes fruit to His glory (John 15) and this fruit will have eternal value. Jesus showed us that the power of healing and ministry is founded in prayer and fasting. Let’s look at Jesus life and see how that this can be applied in us:
- First, Jesus purposely set times for ministry and teaching. He carefully arranged those precious (e.g. Matthew 5) moments to speak what the Father wanted people to hear. People saw and heard the anointed word and marveled.
People want to see the same thing today! They have heard enough hard and discouraging words and a compromised Gospel and deep inside they are hoping someone has a good word! Jesus spoke out the good Word (Gospel) during these moments and people received that word and were healed. Speaking the Word of God can be just a few words, a prayer, a sermon or a teaching but if done under God’s anointing, the Word has the ability to release people from bondage!
- Secondly, Jesus was prepared for those special encounters where people came to Him for help. He never was worried about what to do or what to say. God will also bring people to you for help. They will (in their own way) cry out like blind man (Bartimaeus –Mark 10:46-52). If we have been in prayer, we will hear and see people’s needs and their hearts-just like our Lord did. When this happens, God is blessing us by saying “I trust you with this soul”. Minister-minister-minister like Jesus! Expect results.
- Lastly, Jesus was able to minister in the most difficult situations. Sometimes it was when people were judging Him, when He was in crowds and at other times, it was unbelief. Certainly, Jesus ministry while on the cross was incredible!
- We are to be available at all times. If we are, God will release anointing in whatever place we are at. It could be Tops, the airport or where there are lots of people. It should be present in our families. Never worry about the timing- just release the Word as you are led by the Holy Spirit.
Remember that there are Kodak© moments and there are Kairos (God breathed) moments. One is captured on film for a brief moment in time and the other is captured in someone’s heart and has eternal value. Let us look for those Kairos moments and treasure each of them.
At Crossroads Christian Church and many local churches, God has opened a wonderful door for ministry and intercession. Our Lord has not changed. He still wants His children to be loved and cared for. When we look at the prayer needs that are revealed each week we see that people are desperate for help. Let us ask our Lord to release His anointing so that the power to heal will be present as we minister and intercede.
Father God, please give us eyes to see the needs of others. Help us to move within Your anointing and within Your timing. Amen
