“He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coastal region around Tyre and Sidon, 18 who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by impure spirits were cured, 19 and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.” Luke 6.18-19
I recently saw an illustration from Reverence Mark Sorensen from the Woodlands United Methodist Church about the power source required to charge our phones. It was a simple illustration in which he attempted to charge his phone by laying it on items such as a podium, a table, a chair. But none of these, obviously, wouldn’t charge his phone. The only way his phone would charge was when it was connected to the power source — the charging cable. It’s easy to make the analogy fit for us as human beings and God. It’s only when we are connected to him, that we have power, life, love and fulfillment.
Jesus was coming down from the mountain where he had spent the whole night in prayer and then selected his twelve disciples. Upon his descent he stops and stands on a level place. And who greeted him but a “large crowd of his disciples….a great number of people…who had come to hear him and be healed.” And what happened when Jesus shows up? “Those troubled by impure spirits were cured, and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.”
This is remarkable. Jesus is like a rock star or politician who can effect actual change among his followers. He doesn’t just appear and put on a concert or speech and leave the crowd with a good feeling. Jesus generates true physical, spiritual and emotional transformation. Authentic healings occurred and “all the people tried to touch him.” Those present recognized Jesus as the power source and just had to have a piece of him.
I wish I demonstrated the same passion in my own experience as those who were there that day in Galilee on the mountainside. They could not get enough of this man! His words were golden, his miracle unforgettable. But Jesus does not leave us alone, he sent us a Helper, the Holy Spirit to be our guide and counselor.
The power that came forth from Jesus so many years ago is accessible to us today. He is here now and he is willing to heal your hurts and restore your brokenness.
Won’t you come to him this moment? Allow the God in Flesh to invade your heart right now.
“O Lord God, you are good. Thank you for loving me and for allowing me to be near your heart. Come now, Holy Spirit, fall with power upon your people. I love you Lord and praise your name. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen