Jesus welcomes the little children (Mark 10:13-16)

At the human level at which we live, one of the comforting truths we find in the four Gospels is the willingness with which Jesus performed miracles. We see His power in all those frustrations that enter the lives of the people. A withered hand is made to work again; eyes that have never seen light are now able to view the beauty of creation; ears which have never heard a sound, are made to hear the music of life. Yes, even a host of demons sufficient to fill a herd of swine and cause them to run over a cliff and drown in the sea is not enough to stop Christ’s healing and restoring hand.

Jesus didn’t even have to be physically present. For example, the centurion believed Jesus was God and did not need to enter his house in order to heal his servant. Of that man Jesus said, “I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith” (Matthew 8:10). Jesus never went out of His way to show off His ability to perform miracles, but He was usually quite ready to answer the sincere requests that were made of Him.

By means of His miracles Jesus is revealed that He is true God. The angel told Mary, “Nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:37). Jesus also told His disciples about God’s salvation: “What is impossible with men is possible with God” (Luke 18:27). And to the man whose son had a dumb spirit, Jesus said, “Everything is possible for him who believes.” (Mark 9:23).

When one stops to think about it, isn’t this the message that is so vitally important to our faith life? What would be the basis of prayer, if God were limited in His ability to do what we ask? If one is going to make a request in faith, then that faith had best be in one who has the ability to answer that request. If one is going to have faith in God, then one expects that God be an almighty God.

I once spoke with an elderly man who was dying of cancer. It had been a long time since he had been in church. His sorrow was that due to his neglect of God he was no longer worthy to be a part of God’s everlasting kingdom. Satan had filled his mind with doubt. Then I shared with him these words of life, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me (John 14:1ff). I reminded him that faith in Jesus can and will accomplish what man sees as impossible. Through faith in Jesus Christ we are assured by the Savior Himself with His own words, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die” (John 11:25,26).

Our Lord works the miracle of faith in Jesus through His Holy Spirit to give us life, even though we die. We, out of thanks to Jesus for that salvation, are motivated to come to the assistance of others in time of need or calamity. Love for Jesus leads us to extend Christian love to those near us and be of assistance when disaster strikes in the world. Our contributions to the World Needs Fund assists the Board for Christian Service to help people rebuild their lives when tragedy strikes. One way we can express our love for the Savior this Mother’s Day is by giving to the World Needs Fund. It’s a gift that can change peoples’ lives.

Richard Fyffe is pastor of New Life Lutheran Church in Sebring, Florida.