Who is this Man? – Day 15
Power over life and death
Um(Imi)bhalo weBhayibheli
NgokukaMarku 8
Jesus’ power over life and death was extremely impressive. At the onset of his ministry as Messiah, He healed people with a single gesture or word. “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” Jesus said to the man with the shrivelled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone,” and the hand was healed. He put his fingers in a deaf person’s ears, he spat and then touched his tongue and said, “Be opened.” He spat on the blind man’s eyes, laid hands on him and he could see. A woman who had been subject to bleeding and had consulted the whole medical profession, was healed. Jesus touched the cut-off ear of a servant and it was healed. Even people who were possessed or mentally ill, were healed.
Jesus came to destroy the work of Satan. People need to see the destructive force of sin lurking behind every illness. It was not meant to be so. The sick swarmed around Jesus everywhere He went. Wherever He went, sick people filled the market places. People who touched Him, were healed. In time, Jesus became an attraction, a kind of travelling wonder man.
People were astounded when He raised Jairus’ daughter. Why did Jesus do this at all? In order that people would believe that God sent Him. He has the power over life and death. Jesus showed, clearly, that He came to overcome and overpower the consequences of sin.
The Israelites were petrified and astonished. Who is this Man?