The Faith of Jesus?

...but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man sees, why does he yet hope for? – Rom 8:24

Looking at the miraculous and supernatural exploits of Jesus as He travelled round the cities of first century Palestine, it is evident that the level of His faith was nothing short of stratospheric.

Here was a man who could subdue a legion of demons, stop a 12-year long haemorrhaging condition (without even trying!) and raise up a dead girl – all in one stride. He fed a stadium-full number of people with a little boy’s lunch, and when He had to pay tax, he ordered a fish to bring it for him!

The level of His supernatural capacity was so intense that He once walked on water to his disciples in the middle of the sea, and when he got there, teleported them all – crew, boat, equipment, everything – in one swoop, to their destination! (Jn. 6:16-21).

Indeed, John admitted that the miracles that were documented in the Gospels are but a tip of the iceberg compared to all that He performed in His short lifetime, (Jn. 20:30; 21:25). What great faith!

But seriously, What ‘great faith’ are we talking about? Paul says “hope that is seen is not hope” (Rom 8:24). You don’t need faith for things that are already done; you only need faith for things that you want God to do. And as far as Jesus was concerned, everything he asked for was already done!

He expressed this principle when He stood before the tomb of Lazarus, (Jn. 11:41,42): “Father”, says Jesus, “I thank you that you have heard me.

And I knew that you hear me always but because of the people who stand by I said it, that they may believe that you have sent me.”

His prayer life was powerful because He knew His prayers were already answered. And many of the things we pray for have already been answered in Christ. Eph 1:3 tells us that God has “blessed us” (past tense) with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. Peter takes it further by affirming that ALL that we need with respect to life and godliness has been given (past tense), “through the knowledge of him who has called us to glory and virtue” (2Pe 1:3,4).

Beloved, your faith will increase when you know that your prayers have already been heard. Lazarus “heard” the voice of Jesus and came back to life, because God had heard the prayer of Jesus. Because God has heard – and already answered – your prayers, every mountain before you will hear your voice in Jesus’ name!

AMEN.

More Blessings await you today; you’ll not miss them in Jesus’ Name.

GREG ELKAN