Are You a Miracle Worker?

Are you a living, breathing, miracle? You might be…

And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs. (Mark 16:20)

This verse finds itself at the ending of the Gospel of Mark. Jesus has lived a sinless life. He has been tried, found guilty, and sentenced to the cross. He paid the penalty for all sin on the cross, was subsequently buried, and rose to life three days after death. Jesus spent 40 days with his disciples strengthening and instructing them. In Mark 16:19 Jesus ascends into heaven, then in the typical abbreviated, matter-of-fact style of Mark, the author tells us that the disciples went and did what they were instructed to do, and that Jesus filled them with his power just as he promised. 

But, what does this verse mean for us? Why is this verse relevant for believers today? 

These disciples, who just a few weeks earlier ran for their lives in fear of being associated with Jesus are now being perfectly obedient in following Jesus’ instructions and are being empowered to do miracles wherever they go. 

There are at least three things that stand out about this passage which are applicable to us: 

1.     The disciples were obedient. Jesus instructed them to go and make disciples and they obeyed. 

They did not offer excuses or complain, they simply obeyed. Many times, we fall in our obedience due to our unwillingness to accept Jesus at his word. No excuses are necessary when it comes to following Jesus. We can follow the lead from the disciples and take Jesus at his word and obey. 

2.     The disciples were empowered. Notice the text says, “the Lord worked through them.” 

When the disciples stepped out in obedience their faith was rewarded and empowered as Jesus himself filled them with his power. The very same power that raised Jesus from the dead was given to the disciples. One reason we can step out in obedience is we know that once we take that step, we will be empowered by Christ. We will be empowered to love our enemies, bear one another’s burden, and forgive those who have wronged us. We will be empowered to engage the lost with the gospel, to serve one another in ministry, and to exalt God in worship.

3.     The disciples were affirmed. The disciples were affirmed as they were empowered by Christ to do miracles. 

Miracles go against the natural and are only achieved through the power of God. The disciples healed the sick, caused the blind to see, and make the deaf hear. You may be saying to yourself, “There is no way God is doing miracles through me!” I am here to tell you he can, and he will. Now Jesus may not use you to make the lame walk or cause the blind to see, but he can cause you to show compassion to the needy. Jesus can empower you to serve with humility and selflessness. Jesus can cause you to put others ahead of yourself. You say, “that is not a miracle.” Remember, a miracle is simply God going against the natural. In our sin-filled world, loving God more than self and loving others as yourself goes against the natural and is absolutely a miracle!

Be encouraged by Mark’s account of the disciples and allow God to use you to do the miraculous today.

If we are obedient and dependent, Jesus will empower us to live out his word. He will work miracles through our obedience to confirm our salvation to the world and to demonstrate his power to transform a broken life.

Would you be a miracle today?

Blessings,

Bro. Brad