God has prepared us to do incredible things

Every day we’re asking four questions about part of the Bible. Today Bern Leckie answers:

What did I like about today’s passage?

The fulfilment of the promise of Jesus, to be the suffering servant whose life would be redeemed for the world, is getting near. But as the focus of this story seems to be narrowing, the focus of Jesus’ teaching and demonstrations of his power seem to be expanding beyond the observable present and into an unseen eternity.

I love the scope of Jesus’ promises to believers, that we can move mountains and receive anything we ask for in prayer. With this power, God also expects things from us which we might think were impossible, like being able to forgive people who hurt us.

What did it show me about Father God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit?

God has massive love, power and expectations for us. He has made extensive preparations to bring us to know him and recognise the life-changing power of two commands: to love him, and to love our neighbours as ourselves. It was a rare teacher who reflected that these were “more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices” – the religious stuff we can get our heads around. Its purpose was only to point towards the saviour who wants to us to blow our minds (“repent”) instead and believe his good news about the coming kingdom.

What am I going to do differently as a result?

I need to check – have any of my habits or desires to be comfortably churchy limited my faithfulness in being bold in prayer and obedient in radical-sounding things like forgiving people I believe owe me apologies, money or anything else?

Who am I going to share this with?

There is some challenging expression of forgiveness I may need to do. I’ll need to pray with others for wisdom on how much of this should be private and how much would be better brought up directly with people from past problematic relationships.