Works of Jesus: Jesus Who?

The books of Kings are filled with many who were doing the works of Jesus. It is the equivalent of the New Testament book of Acts and speaks of the glory of God then and now. When I read the books of Kings I cannot help but be truly inspired by all that was said and done. I must continually put my trust in the God who sent ravens to feed (1 Kings 17:4) and lepers to lead (2 Kings 7:9-11).  Who, but God could accomplish such feats?

Like the books of Samuel, Kings was once one book but was divided due to its length. The books of Kings covers approximately 400 years. It begins with the death of King David and ends with the release of Jehoiachin from imprisonment in Babylon.  After David’s death, Solomon, his son took the reins. He was considered to be a wise man; however, he erred in marrying many foreign women (1 Kings 11:1-4) and they turned his heart away from God. There is a lesson in that for all of us.  Stay true to the Word of the Lord. Do not become complacent and allow your love for other things to rule you. Even though Solomon was considered a type of Christ because of his ability to fairly judge (1 Kings 2:25-46), his wisdom (1 King3:5-13, 1 Kings 4:29-34), and his ability to pursue and maintain peace (1 Chronicles 22:6-9), he eventually caused Israel’s downfall. The King who allowed his heart to become divided left behind a divided kingdom.

I am further encouraged by the prophets Elijah (my God is salvation) and Elisha (God is his salvation). These were two dynamic evangelists. They took the Word of the Lord to places others were too afraid to go and once there were not afraid to speak; thus the Mount Carmel showdown (1 Kings 18). They were Old Testament disciples doing the works of Jesus (teaching, preaching, healing and doing good). Acts 10:38 tells us “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him”.

There are many other places in the books of Kings where we see the works of Jesus:

Healings:

• 1 Kings 13:4-6
  King Jeroboam pointed his hand in judgment at an unnamed prophet and it ‘shriveled up.’ The prophet interceded for Jeroboam and his hand was restored to health.
• 1 Kings 17:17-24
  Elijah raised a widow’s son from death.
• 2 Kings 4:8-17
  Elisha granted a child to a barren Shunnamite woman.
• 2 Kings 4:18-37
  Elisha raised the Shunamite’s son from the dead.
• 2 Kings 5:1-14
  Naaman, the commander of the King of Aram’s army, was healed of leprosy after following Elisha’s counsel.
• 2 Kings 13:21
  A dead man was thrown into Elisha’s tomb and contact with Elisha’s bones raised the man to life.
• 2 Kings 20:1-7
  Hezekiah contracted a terminal illness and prayed for healing.

Miracles: 

• 1 Kings 17:14-24
  Replenishing the Oil and Meal and raising the widow’s son at Zarephath
• 1 Kings 18:30-38
  The Sacrifice and Prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel
• 2 Kings 2:7, 8
  The Parting of the Jordan River
• 2 Kings 2:21, 22
  The Healing of the Waters of Jericho
• 2 Kings 4:42-44
  The Feeding of the 100 with 20 Loaves
• 2 Kings 6:18-20
  The Syrian Army Was Smitten

Take time to read through the books of Kings and experience the miraculous. Jesus can be seen throughout Kings as the King of kings (Revelation 19:16) going about doing good, teaching, preaching, and healing (Matthew 4:23).