WHEN THE LORD IS WITH YOU (II)

“There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him” (John 3:1, 2).

Nicodemus was a ruler and well respected man. He and his partners were amazed at the things that were happening in and through the life of Jesus. They perhaps had tried all they could to stop Jesus, but all their attempts and conspiracies did not work. They must have resorted to trying to frustrate Him, but that did not work also. Nicodemus was not speaking his mind alone, look, he said “we”...he was talking for others who were probably shy to acknowledge that what they noticed in Jesus’ life was not ordinary.

They must have held series of meetings about the manifestations in Jesus’ life. They knew His earthly parents: Joseph the carpenter, and Mary, perhaps a fulltime housewife. They even knew when Jesus was born; they knew His birthplace; they knew Him when He was growing up in the neighbourhood. Infact, it was not unlikely that they knew when He was not even “qualified” in age to go to the temple in Jerusalem. It seemed they knew so much about him. But, they did not understand one thing...they did not understand the purpose for which He came. They could see miracles from His life, and He radiated (and still does) an amazing glory that even some of these “bad-belle” people could not understand initially.

Then suddenly, they realised the secret of the things happening in Jesus’ life and ministry, and Nicodemus opened up: “for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him”. The secret behind everything they could see in Jesus’ life was THE PRESENCE OF GOD... “for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him”.

Peter confirmed this when he said, “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him” (Acts 10:38). “FOR GOD WAS WITH HIM”...this was the power behind the life and ministry of Jesus – The presence of God.

Friend, this message is coming again; do not expect to attain or achieve something glorious this year outside the working of God’s presence. Jesus thrived under the blessedness of God’s presence, and if we must be followers of Him, we need God’s presence in our lives.

The people who did not want to have anything to do with him also could not do anything against Him because He carried the presence of God. Results were evident in His life not because He had “presidential connection”, not because His earthly parents were millionaires, but because He carried the presence of God. No wonder, many people were being baptized, but it was when it was his turn that the Heavens opened. No wonder, there were 4 of them who went to the mountain, but when transfiguration happened, it located Him alone and others became onlookers. No wonder, His presence alone even without talking had convicting powers over Zaccheaus. I have found out that men who carry God’s presence do not struggle where others do. The presence always makes a (positive) way. The presence makes the difference. Hear Moses: “For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth” (Exodus 33:16).

In 2013, (as we dwell in His presence and live for Him in holiness and integrity even in a corrupt and compromised world), God’s presence will distinguish me and you, and we shall become the envy of our generation. Dear, if you can spend 8hours a day working for money which the Bible says “failed” (See Genesis 47:15), I admonish you, spend the whole of your life desiring God’s presence that cannot fail. There is glory ahead!

(#The Greatness Series Online @treasuredhouse)