Making a Difference
What does it take to make a difference in someone else’s life? That is a huge challenge. Last week I wrote about what Jesus did NOT do. This time let’s consider what actions He DID take and why that really made a difference in those same disciples.
He deliberately allowed them to experience life-threatening storms on the lake, failures in trying to help desperate people and the extreme fear of being killed the way He was. In all these situations He remained encouraging. It was part of the curriculum. His ability to deal with crises was unquestioned. This does not mean that He never made negative statements about people’s actions. He called the Pharisees hypocrites.
He showed them overwhelming evidence that He had risen from the dead just as He promised. No matter how unlikely the resurrection seemed, the promise was kept. This lifted them from the depths of doubt and despair to the heights of fully trusting Him with everything.
Although He would physically leave them, by His Spirit He would be present with them and available to everyone on the planet. Physical presence would be much more limiting. This gave them comfort and power.
He gave them a purpose to live for, and even die for. This same Spirit would empower them to undertake challenges far beyond their own abilities. The same disciples who were hiding behind locked doors were transformed into courageous messengers who endured unbelievable persecution and most of them martyrdom. No one will die for something he knows isn’t true.
That is the difference His actions made. We cannot do the same but we can make some difference in someone’s life.