"Jesus Intervenes"
Perhaps our questions are more on the line of “Does God ever intervene ‘directly’ into our circumstances?” In other words, if I pray for something particular, will God move to answer it by His sovereign hand despite refusing to override mankind’s freedom? Now we are getting into some deep and difficult terrain.
As always, the Scriptures must be our ultimate guide. There are plentiful examples in the Bible of God intervening directly into the world and our lives. Take our premier example….Jesus.
We so recently celebrated the birth of a Savior. If that is not an apparent, direct, divine intervention, then I don’t know what is! God sent His very own Son into our fallen world to live as one of us, entirely human. God intervened! As we follow the life of Jesus, we see Him continuously “interfering” (in a good way) with people’s lives and with the world system and with the church and even with nature. Let me take one particular act of our Lord. This is one of the more popular stories of the Bible.
CALMING THE STORM
Jesus, God incarnate, is in a boat with His disciples crossing the Sea of Galilee, which is known for its unexpected and intense storms. Jesus was asleep when the fierce storm hit. The disciples awaken their Master screaming “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” (Mt. 8:25). Jesus awoke and answered “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” (Mt. 8:26). Then He proceeded to rebuke the wind and the waves. There was instant calm.
Here we have God intervening in nature. It not only proves Jesus is the Son of God with such authority but also that God can and will intervene directly. Now, I am positive there were numerous other storms, a good number even more violent than this one. Jesus did not put a stop to every single storm that developed. As a matter of fact, this is the only other time we have any record of it ever happening. Nevertheless, it proves our point. God can and will intervene.
DISEASE
The gospel writers record many specific instances where Jesus healed individuals. Furthermore, they likewise record several occurrences where Jesus healed masses of people. God can and will intervene. On the other hand, Jesus did not ever command for every single disease and ailment from colds to leprosy to be healed all around the world in one broad swoop. Then He would need to repeat it again the next minute for those who just contracted colds and diseases, and then the next minute, and the next.
Perhaps our questions are more on the line of “Does God ever intervene ‘directly’ into our circumstances?” In other words, if I pray for something particular, will God move to answer it by His sovereign hand despite refusing to override mankind’s freedom? Now we are getting into some deep and difficult terrain.
As always, the Scriptures must be our ultimate guide. There are plentiful examples in the Bible of God intervening directly into the world and our lives. Take our premier example….Jesus.
We so recently celebrated the birth of a Savior. If that is not an apparent, direct, divine intervention, then I don’t know what is! God sent His very own Son into our fallen world to live as one of us, entirely human. God intervened! As we follow the life of Jesus, we see Him continuously “interfering” (in a good way) with people’s lives and with the world system and with the church and even with nature. Let me take one particular act of our Lord. This is one of the more popular stories of the Bible.
CALMING THE STORM
Jesus, God incarnate, is in a boat with His disciples crossing the Sea of Galilee, which is known for its unexpected and intense storms. Jesus was asleep when the fierce storm hit. The disciples awaken their Master screaming “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” (Mt. 8:25). Jesus awoke and answered “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” (Mt. 8:26). Then He proceeded to rebuke the wind and the waves. There was instant calm.
Here we have God intervening in nature. It not only proves Jesus is the Son of God with such authority but also that God can and will intervene directly. Now, I am positive there were numerous other storms, a good number even more violent than this one. Jesus did not put a stop to every single storm that developed. As a matter of fact, this is the only other time we have any record of it ever happening. Nevertheless, it proves our point. God can and will intervene.
DISEASE
The gospel writers record many specific instances where Jesus healed individuals. Furthermore, they likewise record several occurrences where Jesus healed masses of people. God can and will intervene. On the other hand, Jesus did not ever command for every single disease and ailment from colds to leprosy to be healed all around the world in one broad swoop. Then He would need to repeat it again the next minute for those who just contracted colds and diseases, and then the next minute, and the next.