Tag Archives: Commentary

Today’s Manna – Luke 8:27-29

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“When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!” For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places.” Luke 8: 27-29

Not a Pretty Picture
Mark 5 lends more information on the condition of the demoniac. In the lands surrounding Palestine, demonic possession in Jesus’ day was not uncommon. Demon worship and even dedicating one’s child to the Devil was not unheard of. Thus, it could be that this no-name person has been demon-possessed for quite some time. This demoniac is not a pretty sight. His arms and legs are most likely ringed with concentric layers of scar tissue, the result of repeatedly pulling at the chains that others used to try and confine him to this place of the living dead. Now free of those chains (Mk. 5:3), he tortures himself by gashing his body with stones. Some of his recent wounds might still be oozing puss and blood. From both a physical and a spiritual perspective, he is nauseating and repulsive to behold!

Video Sermon – “The Perfect Rescue”

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Presented by Martha Snyder, Executive Director at Idyllwild Pines Camp on May 22, 2012. The Perfect Rescue is a study of Luke 8:26-39. Jesus demonstrates to His disciples how they need to “get out of the boat”.  While in theory we would all say we are willing to travel closely with Jesus, there are times when our fears can cause us to stay put in our own boats. We vote with our feet!  Do we stay or do we go?

 

Today’s Manna – Luke 8:26-27

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“They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. When Jesus stepped ashore, He was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs.”  Luke 8:26-27

Who got out of the boat?
As the boat finally reached the eastern edge of the Sea of Galilee and the bow wedged into the stony shore, we need to carefully read Luke’s account of this journey. It seems Luke is telling us that only Jesus got out of the boat! This is re-enforced later when Luke refers to only Jesus getting back into the boat (8:37). Mark’s account likewise suggests that only Jesus got out of the boat 5:2&18).

Did they vote with their feet and stay put in the boat?
While in theory we would all say we are willing to travel closely with Jesus, there are times when our fears can cause us to stay put in our own boats.

Today’s Manna – Luke 8:26-29

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“They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes,which is across the lake from Galilee. When Jesus stepped ashore, He was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at His feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!”  For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places.” Luke 8:26-29

To the “other side” on a rescue mission…

When Jesus chose to sail to the region of the Gerasenes the others  in the boat might have been wondering, “Why are we heading towards THIS?” An area Jewish people avoided for many reasons. Observant Jews have a few ritual purity No-No’s facing them here:

  • they are forbidden to set foot on Gentile soil (Acts 10:28)
  • they are prohibited from viewing a naked man and,
  • futhermore, have issues with tombs.

But Jesus demonstrated His love by getting out of the boat.

 

Today’s Manna – Mark 3:22

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22 The scribes who came downfrom Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed byBeelzebul,” and “He casts out the demons by the ruler of the demons.”  Mark 3:22 

Ever been misunderstood? The actions you’ve taken grossly misinterpreted or misrepresented by others and as a result you were persecuted. Jesus can relate! It happened to him many times during His 3 year ministry. In fact, He told us it was going to happen to us, He told us to expect it, and how to deal with it…lean on Him and He will never desert us or forsake us.  Continue reading →

Reason Number Two: Why We Care About Israel

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Reason Number Two: Because we owe them an enormous debt of eternal gratitude.

“Yes, they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things.” Romans 15:27 

The Jews have given us much…
The Sacred Scripture
The Prophets
The Patriarchs
Mary, Joseph, Yeshua, Jesus of Nazareth
The twelve disciples
All other Jewish leaders in the new testament – Paul 

Think on these things…Judaism does not need Christianity to explain its existence, however, Christianity cannot explain its existence without Judaism.

Verse of the Day – Daniel 3:19-23

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19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with wrath… He answered by giving orders to heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. 20 He commanded certain valiant warriors who were in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego in order to cast them into the furnace of blazing fire. 21 Then these men were tied up in their trousers, their coats, their caps and their other clothes, and were cast into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire. 22 For this reason, because the king’s command was urgent and the furnace had been made extremely hot, the flame of the fire slew those men who carried up Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. 23 But these three men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego fell into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire still tied up. Daniel 3:19-23

Continue reading →

Verse of the Day – Daniel 3:6-18

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16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. 17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” (Daniel 3:16-18)

These were young men who had been raised Jewish in Israel who had been captured and sent to Babylon by the king some years prior. What bravery, devotion and courage they showed king Nebuchadnezzar as they stood firm in who they were, and in whom they served. Four important things happened in this verse – They told the king their God needed no defense from them. They believed that their God would save them, but they also trusted in God’s sovereignty to do as He saw fit. Whatever His will was they were determined to follow it to the end. And finally, they stood by their beliefs, and they said no we will not worship your gods.

Verse of the Day – Daniel 3:13-15

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(After the Nebuchadnezzar the king decreed that everyone would bow down to an image he had erected, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego the young men from Israel refused)

13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in rage and anger gave orders to bring Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego;… 14 … “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? 15 Now if you are ready, at the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery and bagpipe and all kinds of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, very well. But if you do not worship, you will immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire; and what god is there who can deliver you out of my hands?” (Daniel 3: 13-15)

Ahhh, what god is here to rescue us indeed! None lower case, and none plural, but the one true God and the God of these three boys. Our God is faithful and He is willing to deliver us through our circumstances, from our circumstances or by the circumstances we find ourselves in. He is sovereign. In fact, He has already rescued us, finding us blameless through His son Jesus Christ. Thank you Lord for your unfailing love for each one of us! Keep watching this week to see how our God delivers and rescues these three young men.

Verse of the Day – Luke 6:40

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Students are not above their teacher, but all who are fully trained will be like their teacher. (Luke 6:40)

One reason why modeling is so important in the making of disciples is, as every parent can tell you, disciples—like children—become who you are and not what you teach them to be. The old saying is true: things are easier caught than taught.