Open Heaven For Today 2026 – Open Heavens 29 March

Biblical Context

The Gospel of Mark is the shortest of the four Gospels, often thought to be the earliest written account of Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and resurrection. Many scholars believe John Mark, a companion of Peter, wrote it. He wasn’t one of the twelve disciples, but he traveled with Paul and Barnabas (Acts 12:25, 13:5, 15:37-39). Early church tradition credits Peter as the source for much of Mark’s material, portraying Jesus’ actions and power in a vivid, fast-paced style. Mark’s Gospel likely circulated among Roman Christians, explaining Jewish customs and terms. It quickly establishes Jesus’ identity as the Son of God, emphasizing His authority over sickness, demons, and nature. The verses in chapter 16, particularly 16:9-20, are sometimes debated among scholars concerning their original authorship, with some ancient manuscripts not including them. However, for many believers, these verses stand as a powerful summary of the signs God promised would follow those who believe in Jesus, equipping His followers to continue His work on earth.

Key Word Study

Let’s look at the word “hands” from our main scripture today. In Greek, the word used is cheir (pronounced kheir). This word isn’t just about the physical part of your body. In the Bible, “hands” often stands for action, power, authority, or agency. It’s how work gets done, how blessings are given, and how power is transferred. When someone lays their “hands” on another, it represents a direct connection, a transfer of something—whether it’s a blessing, a curse, or in this case, God’s healing power. It’s an expression of one’s will and capacity to act. So, when Jesus says believers will lay “hands” on the sick, He’s telling us our physical touch, backed by faith, becomes an instrument for His divine power to move.

You Are Light, So Shine

The first thing we need to understand is who you are in Christ. You’re not just a regular person; you’re a minister of light. Jesus Himself said in

John 9:5, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

And then, in

Matthew 5:14, He turned around and told His disciples, “Ye are the light of the world…”

This isn’t just a nice thought; it’s a statement of fact. God can’t lie, as

Numbers 23:19

reminds us. So, if Jesus, who is Light, says you are light, then you are light!

Think about what light does. It drives away darkness, and it reveals things that were hidden.

John 1:4-5 says, “In him was life; and the life was the light and of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”

You have this same life and light within you. Your Father is the Father of lights, and

James 1:17

tells us that every good and perfect gift comes from Him. It just makes sense that His children would also be light.

God doesn’t want you to hide this light. In

Matthew 5:15-16, Jesus says, “Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Your life should reveal God’s glory and grace. You’re an able minister of the new covenant, as

2 Corinthians 3:6

puts it.

When God’s light shines, impossibilities start to become possible. Look at Jesus’ life. Wherever He went, miracles, healings, and deliverance just happened. He gave sight to a man born blind in

John 9:1-7

. He healed a man who had been sick for 38 years in

John 5:1-9

. He healed lepers in

Luke 17:11-19

and cast out a legion of demons from a man in

Mark 5:1-20

. His fame spread all over Syria because of these great miracles, according to

Matthew 4:23-25

. People saw Him as the Light, and they wanted to follow Him. Your light is your identity in God. You need to let it shine so brightly that it chases away every bit of darkness around you.

Signs and Wonders Follow You

As ministers of light, we’re meant to walk in signs and wonders. Some people won’t believe the gospel unless they see them, just like Jesus said in

John 4:48

. You are God’s instrument for showing His signs and wonders to the world, and He has already given you the power to do miracles.

Isaiah 8:18 says, “Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.”

That’s you!

God wants to do special miracles through all His children, just like He did with Paul in

Acts 19:11-12

, where even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched Paul brought healing. You’re His child, and He wants you to lay hands on the sick so they get well. Many Christians might doubt if someone will actually recover if they lay hands on them, so they just don’t do it. But God didn’t say you have to lay hands and *cause* them to recover. He just wants you to lay your hands on the sick, and He’ll make sure they recover! Your job is to obey Him; the rest is up to Him. When you lay your hands on them, His power working in you will flow right through to them.

Faith is so important for walking in signs and wonders. Those who obey Jesus’ commands with faith always get the results He promised. Pastor Adeboye shared how he started small. When his kids had headaches, he’d secretly take them to his room, lay his hands on them, and say, “In the name of Jesus, headache, go!” He’d also keep medicine close by, because his faith was still growing. But God always meets us where our faith is. Many times, his children would get well in under five minutes. Now, he can lay his hands on anyone who’s sick, knowing Jesus won’t fail. God calls you the light of the world, and He doesn’t lie. So, be brave in your identity as light and start shining! You’ll see God’s glory and wonders light up your life more than ever before.

There’s Power in Your Hands

This brings us to the core of today’s message: There is power in your hands. Remember our main verse,

Mark 16:18, “They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

This promise is for you if you believe.

In

Mark 1:40-45

, we read about a leper who came to Jesus. The man knelt down and said,

“If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.”

Leprosy was thought to be incurable back then. But Jesus, moved with compassion, put out His hand and touched him, saying,

“I will; be thou clean.”

Right away, the leprosy left him, and he was clean. Jesus told him not to tell anyone, but to show himself to the priest and offer what Moses commanded for a testimony. But the man went out and told everyone, making it hard for Jesus to enter cities openly.

We see this power again in

Acts 3:1-11

. Peter and John saw a man who had been born lame. Peter said to him,

“…In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.”

When the lame man didn’t get up, Peter took his right hand and lifted him. Immediately, God’s power flowed through Peter’s hands into the man’s bones, and he jumped up! This isn’t just a story; it’s a blueprint for your life.

Jesus said something truly powerful in

John 14:12, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”

If you’re a child of God, you need to know your heavenly Father has given you His power. This means your hands aren’t ordinary. They’ve become God’s channel for healing, delivering, and bringing things back to how they should be. Jesus paid the price for all pains and sicknesses. That’s why He could say in

Mark 16:17-18, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils…they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

If you’re a true child of God, and you lay hands on the sick, they will recover. When your hands touch them, God’s power will flow through you to heal them. Pastor Adeboye often tells Christian doctors, “Before you give patients their medicine, ask if you can lay hands on them, then pray for them.” He also tells them, “You’ll face times when medicine can’t do anything more. In those moments, give their cases to the One who said, ‘I am the Lord that healeth thee.'” Your hands are full of power because God has anointed them. So, use your faith in Him. Lay your hands on the sick for their healing, and you will start to see special miracles happen through you.