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Dear Heavenly Father, Praise The story of your mercy and love to the demon-possessed men is all the more inspiring when I think about the fact that they were in Gentile territory surrounded by tombs and unclean swine. No self-respecting Jew would have gone anywhere near such a place! Yet Jesus came and gave freedom to two Gentiles who were held captive to Satan’s will. Hallelujah, what a Savior! Glory to the Lamb of God! Today in Your Word Today you told me how Jesus calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee. I always marvel at this story, not because I’m amazed at his power over nature, but because he said to his disciples, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” (Matt 8:26). To my way of thinking, it’s perfectly natural to be afraid when you realize your boat is about to sink in a huge storm in the middle of a lake! Jesus, however, rebuked their fear and attributed it to a lack of faith, for faith reasons correctly and draws necessary inferences from what you have said. Jesus told them, “Let us go across to the other side” (Luke 8:22). That meant they would get there safely, for Jesus would not command them to do something that he would not enable them to perform. Just as Jesus later told Peter, “Come” and rebuked him for his lack of faith (Matt 14:29–31), so Jesus told his disciples “go” and rebuked them for their lack of faith (Mark 4:35–41). Faith draws the right conclusions from what you have said. Faith believes that when you say “go,” there is no need to fear, for you will make a way. When they reached the shore, they were met by two men who were demon-possessed. The demons controlled their bodies and provoked them to violence, nakedness, and self-mutilation. Satan strips his victims of their clothes, for he knows that nakedness is shameful (cf. Gen 3:7, 21; Isa 47:3). After Jesus cast out the demons, the men were at rest, clothed and in their right minds. This teaches me to be modest in what I wear, for if I’m not careful, I will be tempted to dress in a way that brings shame to me and to Christ (1 Tim 2:9). Jesus had been hoping to rest in Gadara, but they begged him to leave, and so he went back to the other side of the lake. There he was met by the crowds, and Jairus begged him to come and heal his daughter. When the mourners told them the girl was dead, Jesus said, “Do not fear, only believe” (Mark 5:36). Once again, Jesus contrasted fear with faith. Jesus had agreed to come and heal the girl, and when Jesus comes, faith believes that he will do what he has said. There is no need to fear when Christ is near! Reflection The woman with the discharge of blood heard the reports about Jesus’ healings and how those who merely touched him were cured (cf. Mark 3:10). Because of this, she reasoned that she didn’t need to have physical contact with Jesus in order to be healed. Just a touch of his garment should be enough (others soon followed her example; cf. Matt 14:35–36). Is that the kind of faith I have? Request Father, give me a faith that will not fear, a faith that will withstand the storms and trials of life. Help me to be commended as one who pleases you and enable me to endure to the end by faith (Heb 11:4). Thanksgiving The two blind men cried out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” and you turned and healed them. Thank you for having the same mercy on me! Praise the Lord! In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “Master, the Tempest Is Raging” — Mary A. Baker. Meditation Verse: Matthew 9:29. |