Starke Reality: Where is Spiritual Power Found?

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Where is Spiritual Power Found?

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Matthew 26:13 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.

Who is the most spiritual person you know? Let me follow that up with a second question. Who is the most Christ-like person you know? You may not be able to come up with an answer to these questions, but if the answer to these questions is not the same, then something is not quite right. A person that is not the most Christ-like, Christ-serving, or Christ-focused person you know is certainly not the most spiritual. Sometimes we confuse prominence before men with submission to Christ.

Take the story of Mary and the disciples in Matthew 26. Mary had given precious ointment to anoint the Lord Jesus, and the disciples' response, led by Judas, was, "What a waste! This could have been given to the poor." In the end, Jesus said, "Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this women hath done, be told for a memorial of her."

Many men in that day were thankful that they were not Gentiles or women. The point is that there are many people who thought they were good with God simply because of their national heritage or gender. God has not made anyone who cannot be in fellowship with Him if they wish to be. You are as close to God as you want to be.

The contrast between the disciples who had such prominence and Mary who had much humility is interesting and stark. We find that Judas betrayed Jesus. This is the same man who called Mary's gift to Jesus a waste! While he was highly regarded by the other disciples, Judas is the one who wasted his life. It was not Mary who had made a waste of what she had. Furthermore, in verse 34, Peter denied the Lord Jesus, and in verse 56 all the disciples forsook Him and fled.

It is interesting to note that there were many women who were at the cross ministering unto Jesus. Woman were the very first to arrive at the sepulchre after the crucifixion. The point here is not that women are more spiritual than men, but that spiritual power is found in submission to Christ and not in prominence before other people.

So often we think that someone who has a spiritually prominent position must be the most spiritual person we know. That may be, but having a God-given position does not necessarily indicate proximity to the Lord Jesus.

You can be as close to Christ as you want to be because spiritual power is not found in your prominence with people but in submission to Christ and in your relationship with Him. Mary is a good example of someone who never held a high position but had a close relationship with the Lord Jesus.

Prayer Requests:
-Meetings this week in Bonita Springs, FL and Ft Lauderdale, FL