The Source of Jesus’ Power

What was going through the disciples’ minds when they witnessed the miracles that Jesus performed? Today, R.C. Sproul sheds light on the connection between Jesus’ prayer life and the divine power that He exercised.

Jesus’ disciples not only were His students, but they were His observers. You see, these guys would sit around, and they would talk about this Jesus: “Who is He? How does He do the stuff we see Him do? Feeds five thousand men—not counting the women and children—with a couple of loaves and a couple of fish. Turns water into wine, walks on the water, heals people, raises people from the dead. Who is it? How does He do it?”

You would think that the students of Jesus would come up to Him after the changing water to wine, and say: “Jesus, can You teach us how to do that? Could we have a seminar next Saturday morning on turning water into wine? How do You do it?”

Well see, while they’re observing these things that are astonishing them, they also see this Jesus departing on a regular basis from them, getting off alone, engaging in intense prayer to the Father. And they’re not stupid; they’re beginning to put it together. They’re beginning to see that there’s some kind of connection between Jesus’ communication with the Father and the power that He is manifesting.

So, when they come and they want extracurricular lessons, when they want extra credit work, they don’t say: “Lord, teach us more parables. Lord, teach us how to turn water into wine.” What do they say? “Lord, teach us how to pray.”