Jason Albertson

When we think about why God may answer prayer with "wait" or "no," a lot of us hear someone in the background of our minds saying, "Get used to this. God usually doesn't answer prayer." That voice might sound like someone you heard growing up. I think that voice isn't right about God. I want to propose another story about why God might say "wait" or "no." Here's my story: God is consistently working for your highest good. He is doing what is wisest and best. Jesus knows what's best for people, and we're often surprised we don't. How come you're not dancing, bro? That's what's Matthew talks about in chapters 12-13. Those chapters are gloomy reading, mostly because the religious leaders did not know (at best) or did not want (at worst) what was best for people. They didn't realize it, but the way they responded to reality didn't match reality. That's what Jesus means when He s...

Jesus has authority over creation such that matter and energy literally obey Him. It seems like Matthew goes to some lengths to establish that. Jesus' authority over creation raises some questions, though. Like, if He can say the word and healing happens, why does so little healing seem to happen quickly? So many times, He seems to wait forever to say the word. Why? There are some good answers and some bad answers, I think. Bad answer 1: Jesus doesn't care anymore. Jesus does care. He knows what it's like (Heb. 2:17; 4:15; 5:2). Compassion moved Him (Matt. 9:36; 14:14; Mark 1:41). Bad answer 2: The Holy Spirit can't heal physically like Jesus could. Healing didn't stop when Jesus ascended to heaven. He still has authority to heal (Acts 3:6-7). Jesus wasn't kidding when He said that it was better for the Holy Spirit to come than for Jesus to stay (John 16:7). Jesus didn't ascend because He was tired of earth—it's His earth. He ascended so th...

Jesus actually does have authority to speak and change reality. He's changed spiritual things by speaking, and He's changed physical things by speaking. Both easy. And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men. Matthew 9:1-8 If "By the word of the LORD the ...

At a wedding I attended yesterday, one of the officiants raised a hand and said solemnly, "By the power invested in me by the Church and by the state of Ohio, I now pronounce you man and wife."  Those words created a new marriage where there wasn't one a moment before. They took as little effort to speak as any other sentence, but they founded a new family. I'm reminded of the words of Psalm 33:6, 8-9: By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host. ... Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. There are very few times when a human says something, and just like that, it comes to be. Marriage is the only case that comes to mind for me, actually. Maybe you can think of more.  In a marriage ceremony, there is a moment when a human's speech actually creates something. That's a rare ...