The portrait of Jesus Christ’s power is revealed throughout His life, ministry, and works. We have seen how He demonstrated love, joy, peace, kindness, self-control, and faithfulness. The portrait of Christ’s power is a revelation of His relationship with the Father and the work and fullness of the Holy Spirit upon Him. We are going to take a look at the portrait of Christ’s power and how His power is revealed in our lives. Isaiah was given a prophecy about Christ’s power-filled ministry.
Isaiah 61:1-3 NKJV “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
Take a look at the Portrait of Christ’s Power.
One Sabbath Day when the Lord was in the Synagogue in Nazareth, He said Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled that day, (Luke 4:17-21).
Throughout the remainder of His sojourn, He continued to minister in the power of the Holy Spirit.
In Capernaum, He was ministering in the synagogue with great authority and power, (Mark 1:21-34).
While He was teaching, a man with an unclean spirit cried out, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” Jesus demonstrated His power by rebuking the unclean spirit and commanding him to come out of the man. The unclean spirit was not able to resist the power and authority of His word. None of those present could understand the authority and power of Jesus’ words.
Shortly after leaving the synagogue, Jesus went to Simon’s house where his wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, (Mark 1:29-31).
He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them.
That evening after the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed, (Mark 1:32-34).
The whole city was gathered together at the door, and then Jesus healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. With authority and power He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him.
As was His custom, early the next morning Jesus had gone to an isolated place to pray, (Mark 1:35).
These times of prayer were for renewal, fellowship and communication with the Father. While He was praying, Simon and others with him found the Lord and said, “Everyone is looking for You.” When Jesus went from there, He was preaching throughout Galilee, and casting out demons.
During another of His sermons, a leper came to Him and kneeling down before the Lord, he said, “If You are willing, You can make me clean,” (Mark 1:41).
Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand, touched him, and said, “I am willing; be cleansed.” As soon as He spoke the words, the leprosy immediately left him and he was cleansed.
A few days later Jesus entered into Capernaum again.
In Mark 2, such a large crowd gathered in and around the house that there was no room to receive them. Once again Jesus began preaching the word to them and while He was speaking, four men came carrying a man who was paralyzed. When they could not find access to Jesus, they climbed on top of the house and uncovered the roof where He was. When they had broken through, they let down the man on the bed on which he was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” Jesus said this so that everyone would know that He has power on earth to forgive sins. Then He said to the paralytic, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all.
On another Sabbath, Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there, (Mark 3).
Everyone was watching Him closely to see if He would heal him on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.” Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.
What Jesus was doing was a portrait of His power.
Mark 3:10-12 NKJV For He healed many, so that as many as had afflictions pressed about Him to touch Him. And the unclean spirits, whenever they saw Him, fell down before Him and cried out, saying, “You are the Son of God.” But He sternly warned them that they should not make Him known.
This is a small sample of the demonstration of the great and powerful works of the Lord Jesus Christ.
He ministered to this world in the power of the Holy Spirit. Everywhere He went and in all manner of situations, He revealed His power and authority. His power and authority was undeterred and unhindered by the circumstances He faced. The fruit of the Holy Spirit in His life provided evidence of the power that was working in Him. He ministered to all kinds of people in diverse situations. He understood the rich and the poor. He could relate to the beggar, thief, drunkard, and prostitute. He communicated freely with the doctor, lawyer, ruler, and authorities. He offered genuine relief and aid to everyone in any kind of situation. Storms of life and storms in the sea responded to His commands. Every contrary wind of turmoil and power responded to His words.
In Matthew 11:28 GNT Jesus said, “Come to Me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest.
He is able to take and carry all of our heavy loads.
His ability to do this was demonstrated in every kind of situation. He was able to give aid and healing to every need. By Him, those tormented by demons found release and healing. The mentally ill found healing in Him. He had the power to bring the dead back to life. No manner of sickness or disease was beyond His ability to address and heal. He knew the heart and mind of saints and sinners.
He ministered to the real needs of people. He was able to speak good news to the poor, heal the brokenhearted, bring liberty to captives, recover sight to the blind, and set the oppressed free. The crowds that flocked to Him were not disappointed. Jesus revealed the mighty power, glory and majesty of God the Father to a hurting world.
His words and His works were powerful.
His words were so powerful that even the elements obeyed Him, the dead were raised by His word, and the sick were healed and cleansed by His word.
John 10:37-38 NASB95 Jesus said, “If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.”
Jesus’ power was not constrained or limited by His human body, appetites, or desires. Although He was a man and was tested in every manner as we are, yet, He did not sin. His power was revealed when people hurled insults at Him and He did not retaliate. When He suffered, He made no threats.
1 Peter 2:23-24 AMP When He was reviled and insulted, He did not revile or offer insult in return; [when] He was abused and suffered, He made no threats [of vengeance]; but he trusted [Himself and everything] to Him Who judges fairly. He personally bore our sins in His [own] body on the tree [as on an altar and offered Himself on it], that we might die (cease to exist) to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.
His power is identified in His victory over sin, Satan, death, and the grave.
Don’t stop at the cross where Jesus suffered and died for our sins. We need to go to the empty tomb and see His power to come out of the grave in victory, power and great glory.
It has been said by many people the real proof is not in what is said but what is done. The proof is in the action.
Jesus Christ is alive!
The Apostle Paul was speaking by the Holy Spirit when He prayed for the church to see the power that Jesus exerted.
Ephesians 1:18-20 NIV I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms.
Jesus Christ has conquered death and He has the power to call the dead out of the graves.
In Matthew 28:18 Jesus said, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”
The Lord demonstrated His mighty power in His victory over sin and the curse of sin, over death and the grave, and over Satan and all of his power. In the Book of Revelation, the resurrected and victorious Jesus Christ appeared to John on the Isle of Patmos. When John saw Him, He was clothed in His glory and power.
Revelation 1:14-18 NASB95 His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire. His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength. When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.
This is the Portrait of Christ’s Power
All power has been given to Him in heaven and in earth.
In power and great victory the Lord of glory will utterly defeat and destroy hell, death and the grave and they will be cast into the lake of fire. The King of glory will completely deliver us from the evil one and all of his evil dominion will be destroyed. The Lamb of God will usher in His glorious kingdom and in power and glory He will reign forever and forever. This is the portrait of Christ’s power.
