The Power that Perplexes the Heart

Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen. Herod said, “John I beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he sought to see him (Luke 9:7-9).

When the disciples obeyed Jesus and began their preaching and healing ministry in the towns and villages of Galilee the results were immediate. As they faithfully went “through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere” (Luke 9:6), the power and authority Jesus had bestowed upon them was released and news of their ministry spread quickly. When the reports reached the ears of Herod the tetrarch His heart was perplexed. Serious disciples who imitate these first disciples should expect nothing less than the same gospel-confirming power as we are faithful to obey the command to make disciples of all the nations. The anointing that produced miraculous results in the ministry of the first disciples produces the same results today because it’s source is the very presence of Christ … “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20). But earnest disciples should also remember that the power that produces miracles is also the power that perplexes the heart.

The power that perplexes the world is perpetual. It cannot be defeated by anything in the world. The early church was built on the blood of thousands of martyrs who were put to death in an effort to put an end to this radical movement. Herod had beheaded John the Baptist but now learned that he was not the real source of this growing movement. Some say the kind of power experienced in the early church is no longer operative today. But this begs the question, does Jesus love the world any less today? Jesus gave power to the disciples to share the gospel with the whole world, and our commission is not yet fulfilled… “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). He promises His power will be available to us as long as we stay close to Him… “Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

The power that perplexes the world is prophetic. It comes attached to a divine message. There were many traveling rabbis in Jesus’ day, spreading various religious and political messages. But the message preached by the disciples was a heart-penetrating Word from God. The miracles were a physical confirmation of the spiritual power that accompanied God’s Word. Both the miracles and the message caught Herod’s attention and convicted his heart. When we faithfully preach the gospel today we should expect the same physical and spiritual work in the perplexed hearts of our listeners… “The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

The power that perplexes the world is provocative. It pricks the heart and either pulls people toward or pushes people away from Jesus Christ. The disciples had been so close to Jesus that His power and authority filled their lives and erupted in their ministry. Every word they spoke and every touch they made was a reflection of the power and presence of Jesus Christ. Herod sensed this this and he was provoked because he thought he had put an end to this troublesome disturbance when he beheaded John. But as the power spread Herod was prompted to find out more about the source. When we are faithful to let our ministry and witness flow out of a close personal walk with Christ, His powerful light will fill us and shine into the lives of others and He will get the kind of glory that provokes hearts… “Everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God” (John 3:20-21).

As we grow up into Christ we become more effective in sharing His gospel as we learn to expect…

The Power that Perplexes the Heart.