Apicontent

Then Jesus and his disciples went to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They said, “John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and still others, one of the prophets.” He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” —Mark 8:27-29

The most important question we will ever have to answer is “Who do we say Jesus is?” Our life in the here and now and our eternal status hinge on the answer to that very question. Just as in Jesus’ time, some in our day respond to this question by saying he was a good man, or perhaps a prophet, but certainly not God. Countless others give it no thought at all. Some say he is the Christ, yet do not make Him their Lord. They give Jesus lip service, yet their hearts are far from Him. Considering all that Jesus said of Himself in Scripture, He is either who He said He was–fully God and fully man–or the truth was not in Him. A liar or the Lord–these are our choices. He left no room for anything in-between. God is not looking for us to just feel all warm and fuzzy inside. He is looking for true disciples who will show his love to a hurting world that so desperately needs Him.

The gospel of Matthew tells us:

But Jesus was silent. The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” —Matthew 26:63-64

Mark adds:

But he was silent and did not answer. Again the high priest questioned him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” “I am,” said Jesus, “and you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.” —Mark 14:61-62

Luke tells us:

So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” He answered them, “You say that I am.” —Luke 22:70

Because Jesus is the Son of God, He has a rightful claim to our lives. In Luke, he said:

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do what I tell you? “Everyone who comes to me and listens to my words and puts them into practice – I will show you what he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep, and laid the foundation on bedrock. When a flood came, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the person who hears and does not put my words into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against that house, it collapsed immediately, and was utterly destroyed!” —Luke 6:46-49

Take It to Heart

“Who do you say I am?”

“Then the apostles gathered around Jesus and told him everything they had done and taught.
He said to them, “Come with me privately to an isolated place and rest a while” (for many were coming and going, and there was no time to eat). So they went away by themselves in a boat to some remote place.
But many saw them leaving and recognized them, and they hurried on foot from all the towns and arrived there ahead of them.
As Jesus came ashore he saw the large crowd and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he taught them many things.”
—Mark 6:30-34

True refreshment can only be found in Christ. He is the God who offers peace and repose from our fretful, anxious, overworked, overburdened, and over-worried lives. It is no wonder then that our Lord calls out to us with a gracious invitation to rest in Him. He is fully aware of what we so desperately need:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry.” —Matthew 11:28-30

Christ is ever aware of our fears and toils, and offers us relief and rest when we are tired. He is our refuge!

“Abandon the worries … and Abide in the Word. Abandon the fears … and Abide in the Father. Abandon the hurts … and Abide in His heart. Abandon the cares … because Christ will never abandon you. It’s what I self-preach again and again to the fearful sinner who is me: Abandon and Abide.” —Ann Voskamp

“Of Benjamin he said: The beloved of the LORD will live safely by him; he protects him all the time, and the LORD places him on his chest.” —Deuteronomy 33:12

In our verses for today the Apostles had just returned from ministering–and they were tired! Couple that with hearing the recent news of the death of John the Baptist and they were desperate for restoration. Jesus compassionately invites them away for a brief, well-earned rest. Thankfully, the Lord not only allows us time for rest, but reminds us of our need for rest as well. We need to remember that those who work diligently and faithfully also need time to rest.

We are told by King Solomon there is a proper time and duration for everything:

“For everything there is an appointed time, and an appropriate time for every activity on earth.” —Ecclesiastes 3:1

Jesus invites His disciples to a quiet and solitary place to catch their breath and get some rest so that they may be refueled to carry on His business. He takes them away by boat. When they arrive at their destination, the crowds are already there–having run ahead of them on foot. Jesus’ heart went out to the people. He looked upon them as sheep without a shepherd. Their pursuit and diligence in seeking the Master was duly noted–Jesus never turns those away who willingly seek Him. And so He begins to teach them many things.

Jesus is so kind and compassionate–He is the Good Shepherd who lovingly tends His Own. He provided a respite for His disciples while at the same time meeting the needs of the people who came searching for Him. There is no want with the Shepherd.

Take It to Heart

“When you seek me in prayer and worship, you will find me available to you. If you seek me with all your heart and soul, I will make myself available to you,’ says the Lord. ‘Then I will reverse your plight and will regather you from all the nations and all the places where I have exiled you,’ says the Lord. ‘I will bring you back to the place from which I exiled you.’” —Jeremiah 29:13-14

“For John had repeatedly told Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” So Herodias nursed a grudge against him and wanted to kill him. But she could not because Herod stood in awe of John and protected him, since he knew that John was a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard him, he was thoroughly baffled, and yet he liked to listen to John.
But a suitable day came, when Herod gave a banquet on his birthday for his court officials, military commanders, and leaders of Galilee. When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests.
The king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you want and I will give it to you.” He swore to her, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”
So she went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” Her mother said, “The head of John the baptizer.”
Immediately she hurried back to the king and made her request: “I want the head of John the Baptist on a platter immediately.” Although it grieved the king deeply, he did not want to reject her request because of his oath and his guests.
So the king sent an executioner at once to bring John’s head, and he went and beheaded John in prison. He brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother.”  —Mark 6:19-28

Finally, Herodias can be rid of John! She sees an opportunity and sets into motion a murderous scheme. The occasion for the diabolical deed is Herod’s birthday. A luxurious celebration, attended by all the high officials and prominent citizens, is held in his honor. The finest of wines and fare are set forth for all to imbibe and feast upon. As the party participants quickly escalate to fevered high spirits, Herodias deliberately ushers into the room her daughter to “grace” the party with her dancing–alluring them as she wins their favor. She charms everyone, and Herod, himself in high spirits, recklessly and extravagantly promises her on oath anything she desires up to half his kingdom. Oaths–unfortunately for Herod–were binding. What kind of glassy eyed promise was that? Up to half his kingdom for a shimmy! Seriously, what was he thinking? Obviously, he wasn’t!

Herodias was quick on the scene to advise her clueless daughter what to ask for–the head of John the Baptist on a platter–probably replete with parsley! Satan surely was patting himself on the back. Herodias’ hateful vendetta was reaching its fulfillment. Finally, she was getting her dream come true. No more would she be reminded of her indiscretions. She foolishly believed ridding herself of John the Baptist would cleanse her. But as we all know, killing the messenger doesn’t change the truth of the message.

This request had to have quickly sobered Herod who, Scripture tells us, was distressed over her entreat. Loose lips sink ships and words hastily and flippantly promised are often regretted. Being careful and wise about our words keeps us from much trouble indeed. We would do well to take heed of what Scripture tells us:

“When words abound, transgression is inevitable, but the one who restrains his words is wise. What the righteous say is like the best silver, but what the wicked think is of little value.” —Proverbs 10:19

“The one who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his life from troubles.” —Proverbs 21:23

Now that he has opened his mouth and promised the world–or at least half of it–before his subjects, Herod is obliged to oblige even if he is in great distress. Leaders make themselves slaves by coveting the respect of their constituents. Herod immediately, therefore, sends his executioners to do the dirty deed and John the Baptist’s brief yet powerful ministry comes to an abrupt end.

Take It to Heart

Sadly for Herod, the Bible tells us he knew that John the Baptist was a righteous and holy man, yet he was too weak in his character to stand up for John’s support. He lacked the courage to embrace the hard right and opted instead for the easy wrong. He feared man more than he feared God. Those who strive for man’s approval often miss God’s grace. Remember Jonah’s earnest prayer from the belly of the great fish:

“Those who worship worthless idols forfeit the mercy that could be theirs.” —Jonah 2:8

“To the one who fears God, there is no reason to fear anything or anyone else.”  —Beth Moore

“Jesus called the twelve and began to send them out two by two. He gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a staff – no bread, no bag, no money in their belts – and to put on sandals but not to wear two tunics.
He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the area. If a place will not welcome you or listen to you, as you go out from there, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”
So they went out and preached that all should repent. They cast out many demons and anointed many sick people with olive oil and healed them.” —Mark 6:7-13

Here our Lord sends out His disciples–two by two–seemingly, to experience a little taste of what is to come! Thus far they have been privy merely to sit at His feet, listening to His teaching and seeing His miracles. Yet the Lord Jesus had blessed them to be a blessing. Now they are about to learn the valuable lesson that His power extends beyond His personal presence. Some knowledge can be learned better on a field trip rather than in a classroom! The process of sending them out two by two allowed for mutual encouragement. Most assuredly, two are better than one.

Jesus sent them out to fulfill a specific special commission and His instructions were pertaining to that particular mission. These instructions were not to be taken as “Law” for all further mission assignments. He empowered them with His authority over evil spirits so that their message would be authenticated. They were to depend upon God to supply them with life’s necessities through the hospitality of others as God’s hand moved hearts to meet their needs. They were not to depend upon their own resources and strength. Much like the Israelites in the desert with the manna, they were to trust and depend upon God even in the smallest details of life.

I am reminded of our Lord’s words in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t there more to life than food and more to the body than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky: They do not sow, or reap, or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you more valuable than they are? And which of you by worrying can add even one hour to his life? Why do you worry about clothing? Think about how the flowers of the field grow; they do not work or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these! And if this is how God clothes the wild grass, which is here today and tomorrow is tossed into the fire to heat the oven, won’t he clothe you even more, you people of little faith?” —Matthew 6:25-30

When Jesus sends us out on mission–be it overseas or to the grocery store–we can be assured He has prepared the way for us as well. It is His desire for us to bring Christ to our every encounter–as we go forth, Spirit led, in His all-achieving power. Remember Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians:

“But just as it is written, “Things that no eye has seen, or ear heard, or mind imagined, are the things God has prepared for those who love him.” God has revealed these to us by the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.” —1 Corinthians 2:9-10

We can be conscious of God’s leading at all times as we listen to His still small voice. The Prophet Isaiah tells us:

“The LORD will give you distress to eat and suffering to drink; but your teachers will no longer be hidden; your eyes will see them. You will hear a word spoken behind you, saying, “This is the correct way, walk in it,” whether you are heading to the right or the left.” —Isaiah 30:20-21

Take It to Heart

Much like John the Baptist, the disciples’ message was one of repentance–turning from sin in repentance to the One true God. The great goal of gospel preaching should be to bring people to repentance–to a new heart and a new way. They were not out to amuse the public with clever anecdotes, rather they plainly preached the necessity of turning back to God. The disciples were obedient to Jesus’ command and Scripture tells us they were blessed in their obedience–healing the sick and driving out demons. When we walk with Jesus we walk victoriously–whether we readily perceive it or not.

God’s promise to Moses in Exodus is true for us as well:

““I am going to send an angel before you to protect you as you journey and to bring you into the place that I have prepared.” —Exodus 23:20

Further Reflections

“God’s promises are like the stars; the darker the night, the brighter they shine.”—David Nicholas

“What is needed is not mere present professions, but perseverance to the end in the power of faith.” -—Ignatius of Antioch

“Now Jesus left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue. Many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did he get these ideas? And what is this wisdom that has been given to him? What are these miracles that are done through his hands? Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And aren’t his sisters here with us?” And so they took offense at him.
Then Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown, and among his relatives, and in his own house.” He was not able to do a miracle there, except to lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them.
And he was amazed because of their unbelief. Then he went around among the villages and taught.” —Mark 6:1-6

In these verses we find Jesus returning to His hometown of Nazareth–and His welcome is anything but warm. Jesus was experiencing the truth of the old adage that familiarity often breeds contempt.

Despite the fact that they readily acknowledged Jesus’ wisdom and miraculous powers, these Nazarenes simply could not get passed Jesus’ lineage. His roots were too ordinary for their liking. Jesus amazed them with His teaching, yet they could not accept the truth of His words. “Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?”

It is no wonder our Lord states He is a prophet without honor. But because His hometown hearers were offended, their bias was their downfall. What can we learn from this? Our prejudices and lack of understanding can prove to be a stumbling block! In the Old Testament we are reminded not to trust in our natural inclinations but in the Lord:

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight.” —Proverbs 3:5-6

Take It to Heart

Because of their lack of faith and persistent unbelief–Jesus did few miracles in his own hometown. His achieving power was never limited, but it was performed primarily in the presence of faith. Sadly, so far as scripture records, Jesus never returned to Nazareth.

“God’s willingness to show mercy appears by His joyfulness when sinners take hold on His mercy. God’s goodness is that He rejoices at the salvation of sinners and is glad when His mercy is accepted. God rejoices when a poor sinner comes in and takes hold of His mercy. What an encouragement to believe in God!  He is a God of pardons. Mercy pleases Him. Nothing prejudices us but unbelief. Unbelief stops the current of God’s mercy from running, shuts God’s bowels, closes the cavity of Christ’s wounds, so no healing virtue will come out. As far as the heavens are above the earth, so far is God’s mercy above our sins. What will tempt us to believe, if not the mercy of God?” —Thomas Watson, Glorifying God

Further Reflections

“Sin is the dare of God’s justice, the rape of His mercy, the jeer of His patience, the slight of His power, and the contempt of His love.” —John Bunyan

For this reason the LORD is ready to show you mercy; he sit on his throne, ready to show you mercy. For the LORD is a just God. Blessed are all who wait for him! —Isaiah 30:18

While he was still speaking, people came from the synagogue leader’s house saying, “Your daughter has died. Why trouble the teacher any longer?”
But Jesus, paying no attention to what was said, told the synagogue leader, “Do not be afraid; just believe.”
He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. They came to the house of the synagogue leader where he saw noisy confusion and people weeping and wailing loudly. When he entered he said to them, “Why are you distressed and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep!”
And they began making fun of him. But he forced them all outside, and he took the child’s father and mother and his own companions and went into the room where the child was.
Then, gently taking the child by the hand, he said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up.” The girl got up at once and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). They were completely astonished at this. He strictly ordered that no one should know about this, and told them to give her something to eat. —Mark 5:35-43

Most assuredly, there are times in our lives when we discover it is more difficult to demonstrate faith and trust than others. In our verses for today Jairus is experiencing just this. However, it is precisely at that times that we must remember that our faith is strengthened one difficult circumstance at a time as God proves Himself faithful. We will find Him to be trustworthy over and over again. We rest securely in the will of God no matter how hard the wind may blow. And when we rest in God, we are in the safest place on earth whether we comprehend it or not.

It is an important principle that we learn to trust as we are given the opportunity to trust. While Satan tempts us for evil–to get us to fall, God tests us for good–in an effort to ever increase our faith. Scripture tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God, who rewards those who earnestly seek Him:

“It’s the painful testings that hold the possibility of powerful testimony–and every trial is but steps in your triumphant march.” —Ann Voskamp

I am reminded of Abraham God called him to offer up his son Isaac as a sacrifice (see Genesis 22). Surely every ounce of his being wanted to run in the other direction–abort the mission and cling steadfastly to his beloved child. Yet in faith he chose to obey God and go forward.

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. He had received the promises, yet he was ready to offer up his only son. God had told him, “Through Isaac descendants will carry on your name,” and he reasoned that God could even raise him from the dead, and in a sense he received him back from there. —Hebrews 11:17-19

Sometimes God takes us to a difficult place. However, He as He asks us to trust Him, we believe in His goodness in a deeper, broader, and wider way.

We do not know if Jairus had had the privilege of experiencing much of Jesus and His ways before he came face to face with his trial. We are not made aware if he had been privy to have had as much history of God’s faithfulness in his life as Abraham brought to his test yet he had the enormous benefit of Jesus quite literally walking by his side. Jairus was confident Jesus could heal the sick; certainly that was why he had approached the Healer in the first place. He was not quite as sure, however, that our Lord could or would raise the dead. When the messengers come with the news that his daughter had died and not to bother the Healer any more, Jesus encourages him with the words: “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Jairus had a choice. He could trust Jesus’ Word or he could cave, consider it hopeless and abort his decision to trust Jesus in the first place. When we are given a word from the Lord we have the same options and opportunities to either go further still with the Master or remain in the lowlands.

Calling His inner circle of Peter, James, and John–they proceed to Jairus’ home. There they discover the noisy clamor of many mourners and wailers. Jesus rebukes the commotion proclaiming: “The child is not dead but asleep.” The crowd responds with laughter and mockery mixed with jeers against our Lord. The Healer speaks a word and with His all-powerful hand raises the dead girl up. Immediately she begins walking around to the astonishment of the onlookers.

Take It to Heart

“Is anything impossible for the LORD?” —Genesis 18:14

Great faith is built one test at a time.

Further Reflections

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. —Isaiah 26:3

“God is God. Because He is God, He is worthy of my trust and obedience. I will find rest nowhere but in His holy will, a will that is unspeakably beyond my largest notions of what He is up to.” —Elisabeth Elliot

“When Jesus had crossed again in a boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he was by the sea. Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came up, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. He asked him urgently, “My little daughter is near death. Come and lay your hands on her so that she may be healed and live.” Jesus went with him, and a large crowd followed and pressed around him.
Now a woman was there who had been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years. She had endured a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet instead of getting better, she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she kept saying, “If only I touch his clothes, I will be healed.” At once the bleeding stopped, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease.
Jesus knew at once that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes?” His disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing against you and you say, ‘Who touched me?’” But he looked around to see who had done it. Then the woman, with fear and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” —Mark 5:21-34

This dramatic scene opens with a large crowd gathering around Jesus. A synagogue ruler–Jairus–humbly approaches the Lord, falling at His feet. He earnestly pleads for the Healer to place His hands upon his dying darling daughter–the apple of his eye–so that she will be made whole and live. In desperation, Jairus openly begs for healing, believing Jesus possesses the achieving power to make her well. And our Lord lovingly consents.

What parent would not do likewise when their child is physically sick? But what about when your child is spiritually sick? Are we as earnest then? The spiritual health of our children is of far greater value and importance than their physical well-being.

On their way to heal Jairus’ daughter, we find Mark abruptly changing the focus. A woman desperate for relief clandestinely approaches the Jesus in hopes of merely touching His cloak for her healing. In faith she reasons, if she can simply get close enough to touch the hem of His garment she will be freed from her misery. She holds a strong faith in the achieving power of Christ to heal her. For twelve long years she has sought help from many, yet she’s only grown worse. An outcast from society–much like a leper–she is considered ritually “unclean” because of her condition. She is excluded from normal social interactions. But, she does not allowing the crowds to hinder her pursuit. She inches closer to the Healer. She desperately reaches out for just a touch of His cloak. And as she connects with the hem of His cloak, immediately, Scripture says, her body is freed from her suffering.

At once, we are told, Jesus realizes achieving power had gone from Him and He turns towards the pressing crowd asking in tenderness, “Who touched my clothes?” Jesus’ question seems ridiculous to His disciples considering the great throngs around Him all seeking to get close to Him. Yet this does not hinder the Lord’s searching eye. He wants to commend and encourage her faith. Falling at His feet and trembling with fear, the poor woman presents herself to the One who made her whole. Our Lord tells her it was her faith–not His garment–that healed her.

Take It to Heart

Paul’s prayer in Philippians is a great prayer to humbly and boldly pray over those we love as well as for ourselves:

“And I pray this, that your love may abound even more and more in knowledge and every kind of insight so that you can decide what is best, and thus be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.” —Philippians 1:9-11

God promises us His peace when we turn to Him!

“You keep completely safe the people who maintain their faith, for they trust in you.”—Isaiah 26:3

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. ” —Matthew 7:7-8

Further Reflections

“It is God to whom and with whom we travel and while He is the end of our journey, He is also at every stopping place.” —Elizabeth Elliot

There is nothing, indeed, which God will not do for a man who dares to step out upon what seems to be the mist; though as he puts down his foot he finds a rock beneath him.” —F. B. Meyer

“Now the herdsmen ran off and spread the news in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man sitting there, clothed and in his right mind – the one who had the “Legion” – and they were afraid. Those who had seen what had happened to the demon-possessed man reported it, and they also told about the pigs. Then they began to beg Jesus to leave their region. As he was getting into the boat the man who had been demon-possessed asked if he could go with him. But Jesus did not permit him to do so. Instead, he said to him, “Go to your home and to your people and tell them what the Lord has done for you, that he had mercy on you.” So he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him, and all were amazed.” —Mark 5:14-20

It is interesting to note the differing responses to this amazing event. And it is important to remember that miracles do not save, they merely point to the One who does. In our verses for today, we see three reactions to the miracle Jesus performed.

Next, we see the townspeople coming out to see what the hoopla is all about. These people are curious. They discover the demoniac now delivered, yet the pigs drowned, and they don’t appreciate the tradeoff in the least. This man’s life was not worth the economic loss to them–and they feared even greater losses. Fearful that Jesus will take away more than He will provide, they choose the temporal over the eternal and beg Jesus to leave their region.

Then there is the healed demoniac. The one that lived in his personal hell on earth, the one that wailed and moaned in his darkness and depravity, the one who felt his skin being torn by his gnashing and cuttings, the one Jesus delivered with His Word. It is not so surprising to see his reaction of overwhelming appreciation and love. Jesus had saved him, and his response was love towards the Master.

This healed man’s grateful response was similar to adoration shone by the sinful woman who anointed Jesus by washing His feet with her tears and wiping them with her hair while the Pharisees sneered. Jesus affirmed her actions just as He did this healed man’s response:

“Then, turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman? I entered your house. You gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss of greeting, but from the time I entered she has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with perfumed oil. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which were many, are forgiven, thus she loved much; but the one who is forgiven little loves little.’” —Luke 7:44-47

It is easy to compare ourselves to others and think we are not all that bad. When we look around us instead of above us perhaps we do not seem like we need a Savior at all. And yet, every soul born from Adam is in need of saving. Scripture tells us that no one is righteous not even one. Scripture tells us that all have sinned and fall short of God’s standard. And Scripture tells us that every sin carries with it a death sentence. Those that know Jesus know this. Jesus says to each one of us much the same thing He said to the healed demoniac: “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”

Take It to Heart

“He was in the world, and the world was created by him, but the world did not recognize him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not receive him. But to all who have received him – those who believe in his name – he has given the right to become God’s children – children not born by human parents or by human desire or a husband’s decision, but by God.” —John 1:10-13

The demoniac was freed from his chains and was obedient to the Lord’s Word. He became an evangelist by merely telling what Jesus had done for him. What has Jesus done for you? What is your response to Him? Are you sharing your story?

Further Reflections

First, we discover those tending the pigs running to the town and countryside shouting forth the phenomenon–much akin to the fervor or emotionalism of seeing a magic show or some circus event. They were fueled by excitement, but not faith.“We shall never find happiness by looking at our prayers, our doings, or our feelings; it is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul. If we would at once overcome Satan and have peace with God, it must be by ‘looking unto Jesus’. Keep thine eye simply on Him; let His death, His sufferings, His merits, His glories, His intercession, be fresh upon thy mind; when thou wakest in the morning look to Him; when thou liest down at night look to Him. Oh! Let not thy hopes or fears come between thee and Jesus; follow hard after Him, and He will never fail thee.” —C. H. Spurgeon

“So they came to the other side of the lake, to the region of the Gerasenes. Just as Jesus was getting out of the boat, a man with an unclean spirit came from the tombs and met him. He lived among the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. For his hands and feet had often been bound with chains and shackles, but he had torn the chains apart and broken the shackles in pieces. No one was strong enough to subdue him.
Each night and every day among the tombs and in the mountains, he would cry out and cut himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and bowed down before him. Then he cried out with a loud voice, “Leave me alone, Jesus, Son of the Most High God! I implore you by God – do not torment me!” (For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of that man, you unclean spirit!”)
Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” He begged Jesus repeatedly not to send them out of the region. There on the hillside, a great herd of pigs was feeding. And the demonic spirits begged him, “Send us into the pigs. Let us enter them.” Jesus gave them permission. So the unclean spirits came out and went into the pigs. Then the herd rushed down the steep slope into the lake, and about two thousand were drowned in the lake.” —Mark 5:1-13

Jesus came to seek and to save those who are lost. In these verses, we find Jesus and His disciples in a place inhabited primarily by Gentiles. It is here that this man possessed by many demons approaches the Lord Jesus. Driven by the demons to abide in a desolate area, this plagued person was kept in his own horrific prison-type experience. This oppressed man could not be subdued even by chains. He was as an untamed wild animal, shrieking wildly in an inhuman howl and cutting himself with sharp stones. The devil is a cruel master indeed.

His pathetic condition demonstrates this was not a mere sickness or insanity, but a satanic attempt to destroy one made in God’s own image. Praise God, Jesus is the One who saves the living from among the dead! Jesus tells us in Matthew:

“Now as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living!” When the crowds heard this, they were amazed at his teaching.” —Matthew 22:31-32

Seeing Jesus from a distance, the demon-possessed man runs and falls on his knees in front of the Savior. The demons were fully aware of who Jesus was. Using the vocal cords of the man they were housed in, they shout out: “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won’t torture me!” The demons are fully aware of our Lord’s divine origin and His superior power.

Jesus commands the demons to depart their host. When Jesus asks the demons their name, they respond through the man, “Legion, for we are many.” “Legion” was a common term in Palestine denoting a regiment of about six thousand soldiers–suggesting that this man was under the power of great strength and oppression.

Desirous to remain hosted in this desolate area these demons beg Jesus to allow them to stay. Jesus has the power to send them wherever he wills. These demons are fully aware of His power over them. Not wanting to be left without a host and in a desperate attempt to avoid being consigned to a disembodied state until the final judgment, the demons beg Jesus to allow them to enter into a herd of pigs feeding on the nearby hillside. Jesus gives them permission and the immediate destruction of the pigs ensues.

Take It to Heart

We are not matches in our own strength against these powers of darkness. It is only in the Lord and in His power that we are able to stand against them.

Further Reflections

“It is His love for man, His compassion for the human race, that prompts God to hate sin with such a vengeance. He gave Heaven’s finest that we might have the best; and He loathes with a holy abhorrence anything that would hinder our being reconciled to Him.” —Billy Graham

“What is man, when reason is dethroned and Satan enthroned?” —Matthew Henry

“No one overcomes the corruptions of his heart except by the enabling strength of the Spirit of God.” —Jerry Bridges

“On that day, when evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go across to the other side of the lake.” So after leaving the crowd, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat, and other boats were with him. Now a great windstorm developed and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was nearly swamped. But he was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. They woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care that we are about to die?” So he got up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Be quiet! Calm down!” Then the wind stopped, and it was dead calm. And he said to them, “Why are you cowardly? Do you still not have faith?” They were overwhelmed by fear and said to one another, “Who then is this? Even the wind and sea obey him!” —Mark 4:35-41

Exhausted and in need of respite from preaching, teaching, and healing the Lord Jesus gathers His disciples into a boat with the command to head for the other side. Weary and exhausted from the day’s duties, Jesus sits in the stern and promptly falls asleep. Here Jesus demonstrates that it is not wrong to consider the frailty of our bodies when we are about God’s work! Our bodies are jars of clay, not machines. Jesus often withdrew with His disciples to solitary places for times of refreshment and restoration. Later in Mark we read:

“Then the apostles gathered around Jesus and told him everything they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come with me privately to an isolated place and rest a while” (for many were coming and going, and there was no time to eat).” —Mark 6:30-31

We are told a furious squall descended upon them–filling the boat with water until it nearly swamped. All the while the Lord slept soundly in the stern. Drained of hope, the disciples turn to Jesus, the God of all hope. Believing the Master to be unconcerned about their circumstances, the storm is testing the disciple’s reliance on Jesus. I’ve been there: Wondering if Jesus is unaware of my circumstances, singing a line from the old spiritual, “Nobody knows the troubles I’ve seen”, and forgetting to go on to the next line, “Nobody knows but Jesus.” Why is it that when the fire gets hot we think Jesus is on vacation? That we begin to think He is not interested in our pain, interested in our sorrow, not able to help us through our difficult circumstance? Nothing could be further from the truth!

The disciples should have known that a ship with the Lord Jesus in it may be tossed, but it will never sink. We may perhaps be at our own wits end, but we are never at faith’s end while we have a Savior to go to. Sometimes a greater lesson is learned in the midst of our storms, before the waves are quelled. We can be sure God always has our best interest at heart. He will never leave us or forsake us. Nothing can change our unchangeable God. We must rest in His words:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry.” —Matthew 11:28-30

The words of the Old Testament remind us:

“God is our strong refuge; he is truly our helper in times of trouble. For this reason we do not fear when the earth shakes, and the mountains tumble into the depths of the sea, when its waves crash and foam, and the mountains shake before the surging sea.” —Psalm 46:1-3

Christ rebukes the wind and the waves and they immediately subside at His command, leaving tranquility in their wake. There is always complete calm with the Lord Jesus. He is never out of control. He is never unable. We discover in Psalm 107 words describing our Lord’s actions:

“They cried out to the LORD in their distress; he delivered them from their troubles. He calmed the storm, and the waves grew silent.” —Psalm 107:28-29

Take It to Heart

Near the end of our verses for today we find Jesus asking the disciples about their fear and their faith. Our great fear will cause our faith to flee. Our great fear will force us to take our eyes off the God of all creation–the all-powerful, the all-knowing, the everywhere-present God. And we will put our eyes on ourselves. The result? Sheer terror.

Faith conquers fear! In the calm after the storm the disciples sat wide eyed–full of reverence and respect over what had transpired. They were beginning to realize that Jesus was no ordinary man!

When Christ is in our company we have all that we need.

Further Reflections

“Be not dismayed, but go to Him who is the God of all comfort, who comforteth all those that are bowed down, and He will give you a word which shall heal your wounds, and breathe peace into your spirit.” —Charles H. Spurgeon

“Hope, it is exquisitely fragile and it is an exceptional force and it is essential to faith and you can’t afford to lose it. Lose your fears but never your hope.” —Ann Voskamp