“And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God.”
(Luke 9:43)
The period between the Old and New Testaments is commonly referred to as the silent years, a time when God’s revelation to His people temporarily ceased. For the space of four hundred years between testaments the Holy Spirit was without spoken word, and God was silent.
But that period of silence ended with John the Baptist calling out in the wilderness… “Prepare the way for the Lord!” The Lord, the living Word of God, was coming—Christ the Son, vested with power from above, with whom God was well pleased.
Christ was called the prophet of God (Matt. 21:10–11), and He performed miracles in abundance: “There are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written” (John 21:25).
But Christ’s miracles were not simply signs like the transforming of Moses’s rod into a serpent. His miracles were not destructive and punishing, as the wonders shown in the plagues of Egypt. What made Christ’s miracles stand out above all others is the fact that they were in every way beneficial to men while being equal demonstrations of His mercy and power.
He cured diseases that were otherwise deemed hopeless, as with the son of the nobleman (John 4:46–53). He treated a blind man with clay and spittle who had no hope of ever seeing. “Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind” (John 9:32).
Christ not only healed those plagued with incurable diseases. He also raised the dead, warranting without question that He was from God. He raised the ruler’s daughter (Mark 5:42) to the astonishment of all that were present at her funeral. As the widow’s son was being carried outside the gates of the city to his grave, Jesus stopped the sad train of people and restored life to the young man (Luke 7:14).
Even more wondrous, to signify triumph over death, He raised Lazarus from the grave. Lazarus had been dead four days (Luke 7:15), meaning his body would’ve already begun deteriorating. But when Jesus called to him from the grave with that same powerful voice that created the world, Lazarus answered. And to the amazement of all those who were there, Lazarus walked out of the grave, manifesting the glory and power of God (John 11:1–44).
Christ also had the power to cast out devils. In Christ’s day, many were possessed with unclean spirits, for Satan knew the time of his ruin was quickly approaching. William Bates commented, “The case of those people was looked on by Christ with great compassion. Christ ejected the enemy of the soul which was by a force that was not of any human means. Human beings have no material applications with a power that can subdue immaterial spirits. But our Savior by a word commanded them forth from their place, and the Gospel writers observe that such a sight affected the people in an extraordinary manner above what His other miracles did.”[1] As Matthew 1:27, 29 recounts, “They were all amazed, in so much that they questioned among themselves, saying, what thing is this, what new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.”
Christ’s power over evil spirits was more astounding than His power over disease or even death itself. “They were astonished at the mighty power of God, confessing that it was never so seen in Israel” (Luke 9:43). And another time they said, “Is not this the Son of David?” (Matt. 9:33), that is, the Messiah. Even His enemies could not deny the mighty, undeniable power of God in Christ.
Contemplation:
- Power in My Life. Lord Jesus, Your power is so evident throughout all the Gospels. You went about doing good, giving sight to the blind, mobility to the lame, speech to the dumb, healing every sickness and every disease. You are full of compassion for the souls of men. You are supreme love veiled in flesh and blood. You are about either bestowing blessings or forgiving sins. Help me see more clearly where You give blessings and forgive sins in my own life.
- Living for Others. All the miracles You performed during Your earthly ministry were helpful and healing. You saved many people and relieved their distresses. Help me learn from this, that no one is born for himself but for the community, and it is better to give than to receive.
- Seeing Power in Ordinary Means. Some mysteries are entirely spiritual and placed far beyond our comprehension, like the mysteries of the Trinity or the incarnation. But others You use as instruments and means for carrying out Your divine purposes. Help me see Your power even today in all the ordinary means You use through Your Word, in my church, and even in the expanse of nature all around me so that I remember Your divine power and Your governing providence over Your world.
- Boldness Through Christ’s Power. Your mighty hand, Lord, is not shortened. You rule over all things with strength and supremacy. Let this truth strengthen my prayers and deepen my confidence that the power that raised Lazarus, that cast out devils, and that calmed storms, is the same power that holds my life and will bring me safely home. Let me not shrink back from difficult things when You are the one who goes before me.
Prayer
Almighty God, I come before You in humble reverence, acknowledging that Yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. You have made Your power known in all the earth, and You have revealed it most fully in Your Son, Jesus Christ. His life displayed divine strength in every step—power to heal, power to forgive, power to raise the dead, power to cast out demons, and power to conquer sin and the grave. It is this power that amazes me, and yet I often fail to live as one who believes it is still at work.
I ask You now to show that same mighty power in my life. Let Your strength be made perfect in my weakness. Where I am fearful, give me courage. Where I am weary, give me endurance. Where I am doubting, give me faith. Where I am struggling, give me victory through Christ who strengthens me. Lord, help me remember that the same hand that raised Jairus’s daughter is still extended toward me. The same voice that called Lazarus from the grave calls me to walk in newness of life. Let me not be dull to the wonder of this.
I plead for Your power in my fight against sin. Let Your Word be the sword that cuts down every deceitful thought. Let Your Spirit subdue my rebellious will and conform me to Christ. Where I am tempted, provide the way of escape. Where I have sinned, restore me and renew a right spirit within me. Keep me near the cross, where Your love and power met in their highest expression.
Lord, I ask for Your strength in my witness. Give me boldness to speak the truth of the Gospel, compassion to reflect the mercy of Christ, and power from on high to speak and live in a manner worthy of Your name. Let me not fear man, but trust in You who raised the dead and rules the nations.
May Your mighty power be shown in my church as well—reviving the weary, awakening the lost, and exalting Your Son in all our worship. Show us what only You can do, that we might give You all the glory.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References for Luke 9:43:
2 Peter 1:16; Matt. 8:29, 28:18; Luke 4:32; John 5:17.
[1] William Bates, The Harmony of the Divine Attributes, (London: J. Darby for Nathaniel Ranew and Jonathan Robinson and Brabazon Aylmer, 1674), 422.
