Tag Archives: Rescue

Today’s Manna – Luke 8:26-39

Posted on by
Reply

“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…..The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.” Luke 8:26-39

This is really a story about God’s heart and to what extent He will go to rescue one human being. What a God, what a Rescuer, what a rescue, what a story! some of what we can reflect upon and ponder in this encounter includes:

Continue reading →

Today’s Manna – Luke 8:30-33

Posted on by
Reply

“Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him. And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss. A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission. When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lakeand was drowned.” Luke 8:30-33

The Fight
The “fight” for his soul doesn’t take long. The demons know they are out of their league with Jesus. They know exactly who He is: Yeshua, the Lord’s Rescuer. So they try to “cut a deal” and plead with Jesus not to command them to go away into the abyss (8:31). Rather, permit us to enter those boars on the hillside (swine is a word that Western translators have used to help us relate to this scene). Jesus consents to their request. As a result, 2,000 boars run straight down to the edge of the sea and drown. What’s amazing about this is that everyone in this culture knows that boars are good swimmers.

Video Sermon – “The Perfect Rescue”

Quote

Posted on by
Reply

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

Posted on by
Reply

“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

Posted on by
Reply

“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.