by Seth Fawcet - On the road to Emmaus Jesus asked two disciples what they were talking about. They responded, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people.” Luke 24:19.
Some are attracted by philosophers whose ideas are so fascinating that applying their ideas to practical, everyday life is not particularly significant. Others are attracted to flamboyant wonder-workers or self-flagellating ascetics who are not capable of undergirding their lifestyles with sensible explanations for their behaviour.
Jesus was none of these. He preached what He practised and practised what He preached. When Jesus sent out His disciples, the first equipping was for power ministry and then He said, preach.
Jesus is the Second Person of the Godhead. Yet nowhere do we read of Him on earth doing miracles, marvellous exploits? Instead we read of Him, “by the Spirit… with the Spirit… through the Spirit” etc. They are attributed to Holy Spirit, not to Jesus as the Second Person of the Trinity.
Peter emphasised this when he gave an apologetic of Jesus. “God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” Acts 10:38.
With all this in mind Jesus said to His disciples as He was about to leave, “not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, ‘which,’ He said, ‘you have heard from Me.’” Acts 1:4.
This is an unusual thing. Here were the disciples who had been with Jesus for three years. He had thoroughly instructed them through both deed and word in theology, in ethics, in worship and in ministry. He had sent them out for field experience, yet this superb training and leadership was not enough for the task Jesus had set before them.
Knowing the right thing to do is not enough. It is too easy to get caught up in techniques and methodology, especially when they have brought positive results in the past, such as Jesus’ ministry had.
Supernatural power, wisdom and insight is needed for God’s purposes to be fully fulfilled.
Therefore, if Jesus’ miracles had nothing to do with His humanity, then obviously that power has nothing to do with our humanity either. Jesus on earth had to be filled with Holy Spirit, led by Holy Spirit, taught by Holy Spirit – SO DO WE! He left us an example that we should follow…
In Acts 1:3 we read that Jesus through the Holy Spirit spoke of things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. Then He spoke of the future.
Jesus knowing the plans He had said, “I will build my church”, and this set in motion the most incredible prayer meeting.
In Acts 1:13-14 we read of them in the upper room “where they were staying”.
In Luke 24:53 they were “continually in the temple praising and blessing God”.
This combination of praise and worship combined with prayer and supplication in the Spirit of expectancy is an unbeatable pattern revealed to us for seeing God’s glory revealed.
They were to tarry/wait until the promise of the Father. The waiting was not optional but it was not permanent. Too many in the history of Christianity became “professional waiters”.
This time of waiting then exploded into the outpouring we know as the Day of Pentecost, where they received the power to be witnesses as Jesus had said.
From all this we understand that the spiritual power for advancing the Kingdom would come through the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus has given us His name, He has given us His authority, and He has given us His Spirit. He expects us to make sure we use all three, just as the early church did.
Seth Fawcet is a popular PK speaker who after serving as Senior Pastor of Hope Centre Lower Hutt for 23 years, now has an apostolic ministry within Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world. Many lives have been healed, transformed and set free through his ministry.