Jesus makes a plain statement: You will do the works that I do. Or, . . these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; . . they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.

So bold, so unembellished, so stark; these words.
Yet, there they are - naked and unashamed.
We’re caught.

People cup their mouths and whisper:
‘Uhhh, what do we do with that?’
‘Be careful, people might see.’
‘Shhhh, there are children here.’
‘Quickly, grab the blanket; cover this up.’

But Jesus wants it heard and understood just as He spoke it. Some words mean exactly what they seem - and nothing else.

But we must cover it, or at least dress it up with something presentable. Like little girls playing make-believe, transforming their dollies by the whims of their imaginations.

This is embarrassing. He doesn’t really mean that you or I should do those miraculous works - those signs and wonders that He sent His followers to do, does He?

Here, put on these undergarments of symbolism . . . we ‘know’ it’s not literal.
Slip into these trousers of exclusivity . . . He meant that for His twelve disciples, not us.
Try on this t-shirt with ‘GET REAL’ printed on the chest . . . That was for then, not now.
Now, step into your ‘sovereignty’ shoes . . . Sure, God does the miracle stuff, and if that’s His will for me to do, He’s able to let me know.

Well, looky there! All dressed up. Now, get out there and tell the Good News to everybody. Oh, you forgot your bracelet. Hmmm, says, ‘What Would Jesus Do?’