On Rounds with Jesus

Category: Jesus’ miracles

  • Authority

    Authority

    Scripture reading: Matthew 8:5-13

    The highest level of decision-making in the clinical setting often comes from the consultant. He or she is usually the most experienced and knowledgeable member of the team. What he or she says must be done. When the team is at its wits’ end in managing a case, the consultant is the one they turn to, and more often than not, he or she comes through. The consultant is the last rung on the clinical ladder.

    In today’s reading from Matthew 8:5—13, the consultant is somewhat akin to what the centurion refers to as a man under authority.

    Authority means power—power to exert influence or command obedience. A Roman centurion had come to Jesus concerning his paralysed servant. Jesus offered to come and heal the servant, but the centurion said, “No, wait. Just give the command. Say the word, like a soldier to his subordinates, and it will be done. I know this because I, too, have men under my command. You have authority over all things.” Jesus marvelled at his unusual faith (verse 10), then gave the command. Instantly, the centurion’s servant was healed.

    Say it: “Au-tho-ri-ty!”

    Jesus has the authority to end the cycle of mishaps you seem to be stuck in. Perhaps you haven’t fully believed that Jesus can come through for you. But He is seated at the right hand of God—a place of immense authority. Pray about it in faith. In Jesus’ name, it will be done.

    But that’s not all.

    Jesus has also given us authority: “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19, NKJV). Exercise that authority.

    Power has a source. Then there are channels to outlets. You connect your appliance to an outlet—and then you switch it on. Only then do you see the power at work.

    That’s how you unlock your power: by getting connected to the source. Jesus holds the power. To connect, you must let Him into your life as Lord and Saviour. To stay connected, you need to consistently study His Word, pray, and let His Spirit fill and guide you. The “on-switch” is obedience—when you go where He sends you, when you apply His Word, when you believe…

    …and instantly, the lights come on.

    Say it again: “Pa-wa!”

    Let us pray.

    Dear Lord,
    I thank You that all authority in heaven and on earth belongs to You. You are seated at the right hand of the Father, and there is no situation beyond Your power to redeem. Like the centurion, I believe that You only need to speak the word, and healing will come, restoration will flow, and breakthrough will be mine.

    Forgive me for the times I have doubted Your ability or hesitated to believe in Your authority. Today, I choose to trust in Your word. Speak over my life, my family, my work, and my health—and let Your will be done.

    Empower me to act when You speak, to move when You send, and to believe even when I cannot see. Let my obedience be the switch that turns the power on. And may Your light shine brightly through me.

    In Jesus’ mighty name I pray, Amen.

    Reflections

    1. Who or what do I turn to first when I’m at my wits’ end?
      Do I rely on human expertise alone, or do I trust in the authority of Jesus?
    2. Do I truly believe that Jesus can speak a word and change my situation instantly?
      Reflect on whether your faith matches the centurion’s confidence in Christ’s power.
    3. Am I walking in the spiritual authority Jesus has given me?
      Or am I living beneath the privileges of my identity as a believer?
    4. What does it mean for me to “stay connected” to the power source?
      Consider how consistent prayer, studying the Word, and obeying God’s voice keep you spiritually charged.
    5. Is there an area in my life where obedience is the “on-switch” I’ve been avoiding?
      Reflect on how delayed obedience might be keeping the lights off in that part of your life.
  • The storm is over!

    The storm is over!

    Scripture reading: Mark 4:35–41

    My first real experience of ‘turbulence’ was probably when I encountered an eclamptic patient for the first time. She was a young woman, about seven months into her first pregnancy, who had been wheeled into the emergency room a few minutes after having a fit and losing consciousness. She went on to have a series of violent seizures — several bouts of vehement, untamable tremors involving her entire body — that had to be aborted with waves and waves of intravenous anticonvulsants. It was like a storm.

    In Mark 4:35-41, we witness yet another storm. On the evening of a day when Jesus had been teaching His disciples powerful truths about the Kingdom, He decided to put them through a practical session on faith. He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side,” and the disciples obliged, unaware of what lay ahead. Among them were seasoned fishermen who were no strangers to the Sea of Galilee and its occasional turbulence.

    On their way across, “a huge storm came up. Waves poured into the boat, threatening to sink it” (Mark 4:37, MSG). Storms come to prepare us for ‘the other side’. God allows certain storms to shape and strengthen us for what’s next. In life, we will encounter many challenges. These challenges are meant to stretch us — to test and strengthen our capacity to overcome — and in the process, make us better. Without fire, there’s no refining. Faith must be tested, and our resolve must not waver when boisterous waves pour into our boat, threatening to sink it, because Jesus is in the stern.

    “Jesus was in the stern, head on a pillow, sleeping! They roused him, saying, ‘Teacher, is it nothing to you that we’re going down?” (Mark 4:38, MSG). They were afraid. But three things should have put them at ease:

    1. Jesus had assured them they were going to the other side (verse 35).
    2. He was with them (verse 36).
    3. He was peacefully asleep as though there was no imminent danger (verse 38) — because, as we’ll soon see, there wasn’t.

    Instead, they fixed their eyes on the waves. Faith perishes where fear thrives. And fear thrives when we focus on our turbulent circumstances instead of fastening our faith to the Rock that cannot move — Jesus. They failed the test (verse 40).

    Jesus steps in. “…He told the wind to pipe down and said to the sea, ‘Quiet! Settle down!’ The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass.” – Mark 4:39, MSG

    One of the tenets of managing obstetric emergencies like eclampsia is to call for help. At times, experience alone is not enough. Occasionally, our faith may falter. But when we call on Jesus, He will intervene. When He speaks, the billowing waves settle like glass, and not a whisper is heard from the wind. When He speaks, the storm is over!

    Let’s Pray

    Lord, quieten these storms —
    Waves of doubt threatening to flood my heart.
    Let me know You are with me.

    Lord, calm the turbulence —
    Winds of fear threatening to shake my soul.
    Let me know You are with me.

    As the boisterous sea rages around me,
    May Your unfailing Word anchor me.
    In the midst of the storm — “Peace, be still!”

    Reflections

    1. What are some examples of storms that tend to test your faith in God? What are you most afraid of?
    2. To deal with fear, you need faith. Faith comes by imbibing God’s Word.
    3. How can you keep yourself grounded in God’s Word?
    4. The essence of tests is growth. Beyond having a personal relationship with Him, God is invested in your journey — in you crossing to the other side.
    5. You are not alone, even when it feels like it. God is near.
    6. Call on Him in times of trouble — and He will answer (Psalm 50:15).
  • Refresh

    Refresh

    Scripture reading: John 2:1-11, NKJV

    John begins his account of Jesus’ first recorded miracle with “on the third day”, almost as though he is cueing us into some kind of resurrection story. Or was he?

    Jesus, His mother, and His new disciples had been invited to a wedding feast in Cana. The next thing we read from the account is that what was meant to be the refreshment at the ceremony—the wine—runs out. This is not a good thing. Jewish weddings were a very big deal back then and could last for days. The wine was not to run out, as it symbolised joy and abundance. This was a highly embarrassing social faux pas, one that could become the subject of ridicule for years to come. Imagine the utter disgrace. The party was almost dead.

    We don’t know exactly how close Mary was to the bridal party, but she notices very early that “there was no wine,” and that timely intervention was needed. She turns to Jesus. In medical terms, you could say Mary “called a code.” This often refers to initiating a rapid response to a medical emergency, like a cardiac or respiratory arrest. Urgent cardiopulmonary resuscitation was required to save what seemed to be the dying moments of this party.

    Mary recognised the need to act promptly. But more importantly, she recognised that Jesus was there at the wedding feast— and that only He could bring whatever was left of it back to life.

    Mary says to the servants, “Whatever He tells you, do it.” And they do.

    Jesus asks the servants to fill some empty jars nearby with water. Once they are filled, He instructs them to draw some of it out and take it to the master of ceremonies. The emcee takes a sip of what is soon to be the choicest wine at the feast and cannot stop singing praises to his hosts. If only he knew that just moments earlier, it had been plain, bland water drawn from pots meant for ceremonial cleansing.

    Jesus can turn your plain, bland life into a joyous spring of fine wine, so delightful that everyone who tastes it cannot get enough. But you need to give Him the chance. You need to let Him in. You need to let Him fill you.

    Worn out, tired, waning? The refresh button you need is Jesus. Jesus is the new wine—you haven’t tasted better.

    Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

    — Psalm 34:8, NKJV

    Let’s Pray

    Pray…
    For a refilling—
    Where your love for God may be dwindling

    A rekindling—
    Where your joy may be waning

    Where the gloom of disgrace may be lurking,
    Where the emptiness of worthlessness may be surging,
    That the Lord will fill you with His new wine—
    With His divine Spirit that makes all things new.


    May the Lord make you a refreshing testimony to His glory.
    Amen.

    Reflections

    1. Who do you share your problems with? Mary shared hers with Jesus because she knew who He was and what He could do.
    2. Jesus is the only answer— never mind the question.
    3. The key lies in obeying His instructions: “Whatever He tells you, do it.”
    4. Jesus can use whatever is available— there was no wine, but there was water. What do you need? Look at what you have.
    5. When you put your trust in Jesus, it never goes to waste.
    6. “Why have you saved the best for last?” (John 2:10) What Jesus gives is built to last. What they had was water for external cleansing. He gave them wine to satisfy within. The stone jars were empty— He filled them up. What they were facing was imminent death and shame… He gave them life and joy. Tired and heavy-laden? Jesus offers you rest.