Typical week in the life of Jesus: Observing the effects of prayer

Have you ever taken a walk on a hot summer’s day only to find that you’ve become a gnat (fly, horsefly, mosquito, etc.) magnet? I have…but my bugs were nothing like the “gnats” that always seemed to swarm around Jesus throughout His three-year ministry.

Now it happened…on a Sabbath [that] His disciples were picking…and eating the grain. But some of the Pharisees said, “Why do you do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” (Luke 6:1-2.)

They couldn’t help themselves. They were irked that He wouldn’t submit Himself to them; how could this crude Man and His disciples develop such a following? These enlightened leaders just had to point out their concerns to Him…

On another Sabbath He entered the synagogue and was teaching; and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees were watching Him closely to see if He healed on the Sabbath, so that they might find reason to accuse Him (Luke 6:6-7).

The gnats were gathered, prepared to ambush. Would their Target have the audacity to heal on the Sabbath? Buzzzzzz….You could hear these gnats holding their breath, ready, set…positioned to swarm…

But He knew what they were thinking, and He said to the man with the withered hand, “Get up and come forward!” And he got up and came forward (Luke 6:8).

Jesus knew what they were thinking…but He proceeded to step into their trap, anyway. Jesus! Be careful! Don’t You know who You’re dealing with????

And Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life or to destroy it?” (Luke 6:9.)

Incoming: Holy Ghost wisdom. Yup—He’s been praying!

After looking around at them all, He said to him, “Stretch out your hand!” And he did so; and his hand was restored (Luke 6:10).

It never failed: God always showed up when Jesus was surrounded and ambush was imminent. He had prayed beforehand; God downloaded wisdom; and Jesus chose His Father’s direction rather than saving His own skin by taking the easier, more politically-correct path. As a result, miracles followed. In this case, a man’s withered hand was completely restored before their very eyes! How could anyone get mad about that??

Wait for it…

But they themselves [you know who!] were filled with rage, and discussed together what they might do to Jesus (Luke 6:11).

Outrage filled these “enlightened” ones. How dare He heal a man’s hand on the Sabbath! Yes, they certainly had their priorities…

But so did Jesus:

It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God (Luke 6:12).

The Son of Man set the standard for all who would follow Him: Pray. Pray before, during, and after. Pray first of all; pray last of all.

Do you desire wisdom from Heaven and miracles from God? Fortify your desires, hopes, and dreams: PRAY. And don’t stop praying.

Dorothy

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2, ESV

With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit…Ephesians 6:18a

Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

© 2017, Dorothy Frick