Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As we have examined the amazing life of the Lord Jesus in this series, we have seen the beauty of His character. There is no other like Him. He is both God and man. As the God-man, He is the only One on this earth who never sinned. Though He is God, He entered the world as a humble servant. Last month we looked at His servanthood. One of the ways that He served was through His works. Not only did His works meet the needs of many desperate people, but they also demonstrated who He is. The works that Jesus did will be our focus. We will seek to answer the question: “What Works Has Jesus Done?”
Jesus demonstrated His mighty power from eternity past and onward.
He created all things (John 1:3, 10; Col. 1:16).
He sustains all things, upholding and preserving His creation (Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3).
He is sovereign over all things, directing the course of history (I Cor. 10:4, 9, 11; Heb. 1:2; Rev. 5:5).
He is building His Church and directing its existence as its Head (Matt. 16:18; Eph. 1:22-23; 4:7-16).
He is preparing a place for His own in His Father’s house (John 14:2).
He is hearing and answering prayer (John 14:14; Acts 7:59; II Cor. 12:7-9).
He will raise the dead (John 5:21, 28-29; 11:25-26).
He will judge the world (Matt. 25:31-46; John 5:22, 27; Acts 10:42; 17:31; Rom. 14:10; II Cor.5:10).
Jesus demonstrated His mighty power during His earthly ministry.
He displayed His power over nature.
He stilled the wind and the waves in the mighty storm (Matt. 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41).
He walked on the sea as if it were pavement (Matt. 14:22-33; John 6:16-21).
He displayed His power over substances.
He multiplied food for thousands at one time (Matt. 14:13-21; 15:32-39; John 6:1-14).
He turned water into wine at a wedding (John 2:1-11).
He displayed His power over the devil.
He was victorious over every temptation that Satan used against Him (Matt. 4:1-11; Heb. 4:15).
He destroyed the one who had the power of death—the devil—through His own death (Heb. 2:14).
He displayed His power over demons.
He cast demons out of those who were demon-possessed (Mark 1:21-28; 3:23-27; 5:1-20).
He was recognized by the demons as the Son of the Most High God (Mark 3:11; Luke 8:26-33).
He displayed His power over disease.
He healed sicknesses, no matter what they were (Matt. 4:23-25; 8:1-25).
He was not limited in His power to heal, healing all who came (Matt. 4:23; 8:16-17).
He displayed His power over death.
He raised the dead, bringing them back to life (Luke 7:11-18; John 11:21-44).
He arose from the dead, showing His complete conquest over death (Matt. 28:1-10; I Cor. 15:3-4).
He displayed His power over sin.
He never sinned, not being able to sin (II Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15; I Pet. 2:22; I John 3:5).
He forgave sin, as only God can do (Matt. 9:1-7; Mark 2:1-12); He provided salvation (Matt. 1:21).
Jesus performed these mighty works to show who He is.
While Jesus’ mighty works met needs in the lives of people, the main purpose was to show His deity.
The purpose of His works was to authenticate who He is—to prove that He was and is the Son of God.
Jesus said, “But I have a greater witness than John’s; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish—the very works that I do—bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me” (John 5:36).
Jesus said, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me” (John 10:25).
John said, “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:30-31).
Peter said, “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know. . .” (Acts 2:22).
Jesus’ demonstrated His mighty power before He came to earth and while He ministered on earth, and He has continued to do mighty works since His ascension into heaven. He is able to work mightily in our lives today. Remember this thrilling proclamation: “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Eph. 3:20). Let’s trust in our great God to work in our lives today!
Because of His Grace—Pastor Charlie