Divine Demonstrations

In the Bible Jesus said to His Father,

“As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.”^[1]

And to His disciples He said:

“As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."^[2] And John wrote, “Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.”^[3]

“Okay, that all sounds good. But if I really want to live like Jesus, what does that actually mean? How can I live like Him within the realities of my everyday life?”

Valid question!

When Jesus told Peter and others, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men,” I don’t think He was only talking about the physical action of walking the roads with Him, sleeping where He slept and eating where He ate. Jesus wanted His disciples to understand the principles He was teaching through His words and actions, and to apply them to their daily lives. He wants us to do the same. He wants us to do our best to put what He has taught us into practice in our everyday lives as we “go into the world” and share the good news with everyone He shows us to.^[4]

Jesus explains it in prophecy this way:

“I was sent to demonstrate what My Father taught Me. You are sent by Me to demonstrate what I have taught you. You have to look past the physical actions to the principles I was demonstrating. Let Me show you what will illustrate those principles today in your situation and to those you meet.

“I can be both forceful and tender, bold and tranquil, joyful and a man of sorrows. I see the good and the bad, but above all I see the heart. The only way to know how to manifest the example I have set for you is to walk close by My side, looking to Me to guide your actions and words.

“I healed by the hundreds in order to show the Father’s love for all His children. Out of a crowd of thousands, I healed one dying woman who touched the hem of My garment in desperate faith, to show the Father’s personal care for every soul.

“I exposed the hypocrites who appeared to be perfect in outward actions, to demonstrate that God sees the heart, not the outward show. I touched and healed ten lepers to show that no man who comes to the Father is ever despised in His eyes or cast out.

“Those who were wise in their own minds, I answered through simple words and stories that showed the truth in clear and easy-to-grasp ways, so that all would see the foolishness of man’s contorted wisdom. I declared the little children with their pure faith and simple trust to be examples of the kingdom of heaven, to show the true wisdom of the Father that is only found in seeking and trusting in Him.

“I danced and laughed with My disciples at marriage celebrations because the Father is a God of joy. I wept with those suffering the loss of one dear to them, that all may know that He also weeps with those who weep.

“Every moment of My life I was looking to the Father, ready to do whatever He showed Me, whether it was to give the miracle of sight to a blind beggar, or to extend mercy and encouragement to a despised tax collector in a tree, or to offer forgiveness to a prostitute weeping at My feet to be loved as she had never known love. Wherever I went, I gave in one form or another. I did this so that all could see that living for God can be a part of whatever you are doing.

“I spent many days teaching those close by My side, in order to show how the Father pours into those who love Him. I walked miles to teach the truth to a lonely woman at a well, to show the lengths that My Father is willing to go to answer a heart seeking truth.

“I chose twelve to walk at My side. I chose men who seemed intelligent and ones who seemed ignorant. I chose men who had been honest and men who had been cheaters. I chose those whose love for Me was deep and pure and those who would betray Me, or deny Me, or abandon Me in moments of fear or weakness. I did this as My Father led Me, to show that He is able to accomplish His purpose and bring good, no matter what the circumstances.

“I traversed this life, with all its joy and pain, loss and gain, weakness and strength, under the loving direction of My Father. I followed where He guided without hesitation. I did it to give you an example of how you can follow Me and in turn can teach others to do the same.”

The One who turned darkness into light and through death and resurrection brought life, has lived the example that He calls us to live. We don’t have to be great in ourselves. As we look to Him, the miracle of His power comes simply by allowing His Spirit to permeate whatever we do.

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Here are a few additional verses from the Bible on this subject.

I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.^[5]

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.^[6]

Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.^[7]

In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him.^[8]

If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.^[9]