What Jesus Did! - Two Necessities

When Jesus was leaving there, two blind men followed him. The blind men said loudly, "Show kindness to us, Son of David. " Jesus went inside, and the blind men went with him.

Jesus asked the men, "Do you believe that I am able to make you see again?" The blind men answered, "Yes, Lord, we believe." Then Jesus touched their eyes and said, "You believe that I can make you see again, so this will happen." Then the men were able to see again.

Jesus warned them very strongly. Jesus said, "Don't tell any person about this." But the blind men left and spread the news about Jesus all around that area.
- Matthew 9:27-31 (ERV)

THOUGHT:

Once again, Jesus demonstrates his power to heal and restore. Based on the faith expressed by the two blind men, Jesus healed them. But notice also the phrases "After Jesus went inside" and "Don't tell anyone about this." While Jesus was powerful, his power was used to show his compassion and care, not to gain a following. Matthew reminds us again and again that following Jesus is about obeying his commands. Jesus, as God with us -- our Immanuel, is all about teaching and showing compassion. Blending these two is the art of faithful Christian service.

PRAYER:

Almighty and awesome God, you are glorious and you have chosen to reveal that glory with both power and compassion. Please use your Spirit to give me a heart of compassion and to show me how to live a victorious Christian life. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Related Scriptures:

- Matt. 20:29-34

29 As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. 30Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!"
31 The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!"

32 Jesus stopped and called them. "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked.

33 "Lord," they answered, "we want our sight."

34 Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.



- Isa. 29:17-19


17 In a very short time, will not Lebanon be turned into a fertile field
and the fertile field seem like a forest?

18 In that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll,
and out of gloom and darkness
the eyes of the blind will see.

19 Once more the humble will rejoice in the LORD;
the needy will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.



- Isa. 35:4-6

4 say to those with fearful hearts,
"Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come,
he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution
he will come to save you."

5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
and the ears of the deaf unstopped.

6 Then will the lame leap like a deer,
and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Water will gush forth in the wilderness
and streams in the desert.

What Jesus Did! - No Show, Just Grace

Jesus continued going with the Jewish leader and went into the leader's house. Jesus saw people there that make music for funerals. And he saw many people there upset {because the girl died}.

Jesus said, "Go away. The girl is not dead. She is only asleep." But the people laughed at Jesus. After the people were put out of the house, Jesus went into the girl's room. Jesus held the girl's hand, and the girl stood up. The news about this spread all around the area.
- Matthew 9:23-26 (ERV)


THOUGHT:

I'm amazed at how often Jesus left the crowds and went off to pray or how he resisted the crowds and still generously shared his acts of compassion.

So often today, we have the tendency to think that things have to be big and attract a big "audience" to be impressive and have an impact on our community. In reality, very seldom is God's work done by a crowd. Jesus' ministry was blessed because of God's grace and Jesus' faithfulness, not because of some slick marketing scheme.

Don't get me wrong; I believe we find every available means to ethically reach people with the Gospel. But notice that Jesus' ministry expands, not because he does this miracle to prove something to the crowds, but because he does something to care for a broken family in a private but powerful way.


PRAYER:

Oh Lord, please give me the heart to give the highest earthly priority to people so that caring for others is second only to you in my ministry. Help me to not only see those around me that need your Son as Savior, but to minister to them in genuine ways that will help them come to you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Related Scriptures:

When Jesus came near the town gates, he saw a funeral. A mother, who was a widow, had lost her only son. Many people from the town were there with the mother while her son was being carried out.

When the Lord (Jesus) saw her, he felt very sorry for her. Jesus said to her, "Don't cry." Jesus walked to the coffin and touched it. The men that were carrying the coffin stopped. Jesus said to the dead son, "Young man, I tell you, get up!" Then the son sat up and began to talk. Jesus gave him to his mother.

All the people were filled with fear. They began praising God and said, "A great prophet has come to us!" And they said, "God is taking care of his people." - Luke 7:12-16


13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
- Matt. 14:13-14

What Jesus Did! - Affirming Faith

While Jesus was saying these things, a leader of the synagogue came to him. The leader bowed down before Jesus and said, "My daughter has just died. But come and touch her with your hand, and she will live again." So Jesus stood up and went with the leader. Jesus' followers went too.

There was a woman that had been bleeding for twelve years. The woman came behind Jesus and touched the bottom of his coat. The woman was thinking, "If I can touch his coat, then I will be healed." Jesus turned and saw the woman. Jesus said, "Be happy, dear woman. You are made well because you believed." Then the woman was healed.
- Matthew 9:18-22 (ERV)

THOUGHT:

Two powerful realizations are driven home by this story of the desperate and outcast woman.

First, even though her outward circumstances and personal demeanor are the opposite of the synagogue ruler with whom she shares the story, their core issue is the same: faith that Jesus can deliver them from their desperate concerns. They both act in bold ways to find that deliverance.

Second, in both stories, even though there is a huge crowd pressing upon Jesus, he ministers personally and specifically to the needs of the people. What so powerfully sets Jesus apart from healing charlatans is that he does not use these events to focus upon himself, but to personally minister to the needs of the people involved. These stories remind us again of how powerful it is that God would become human flesh to minister to us -- personally!

PRAYER:

Holy Father, thank you for your love and compassion in sending Jesus. I find it both awe inspiring and assuring to know that you walked among people and ministered to them personally, not just spectacularly, in Jesus. Thank you for reminding me that every human need, every desperate struggle, is known to you and agonized over by you. In Jesus' name I praise and thank you for this grace. Amen.

Related Scriptures:

10.When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.

13. Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! It will be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that very hour.
- Matt. 8:10, 13

Jesus said to the woman, "Because you believed, you are saved {from your sins}. Go in peace." - Luke 7:50

Then Jesus said to the man, "Stand up! You can go. You were healed because you believed." - Luke 17:19

What Jesus Did! - Responding to Faith

While Jesus was saying these things, a leader of the synagogue came to him. The leader bowed down before Jesus and said, "My daughter has just died. But come and touch her with your hand, and she will live again." So Jesus stood up and went with the leader. Jesus' followers went too.
- Matthew 9:18-19 (ERV)


THOUGHT:

True power meets true faith as Jesus and this leader of a synagogue meet each other. This important man shows no pretentiousness in the presence of Jesus. He bows to honor and worship him and make a request that was unthinkable.

But even though his request was unimaginable, he pursued it with the eyes of faith. In the presence of such faith, Jesus is more than happy to help just as unpretentiously as the synagogue ruler was in asking for it.

PRAYER:

Give me a heart of faith, O God, that not only helps me see the unseen and believe the unimaginable, but also brings a blessing to you. I want to dream what is incredible knowing that you will do things much greater than I can even imagine. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Related Scriptures:


Ephesians 3:20-21
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Matthew 8:3
Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately he was cured^[a] of his leprosy.

Matthew 8:15
He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.

What Jesus Did!

"When a person sews a patch over a hole on an old coat, he never uses a piece of cloth that is not yet shrunk. If he does, the patch will {shrink and} pull away from the coat. Then the hole will be worse. Also, people never pour new wine into old wine bags. Why? Because the old bags will break. The wine will spill, and the wine bags will be ruined. But people always pour new wine into new wine bags. Then the wine and the wine bags will continue to be good."
- Matthew 9:16-17 (ERV)

THOUGHT:

None of us likes to give up something familiar or comfortable. This is even more true when this "something" has been the controlling point for our view of reality, morality, and religion. So we have a tendency to plug in something we like in a new experience or religion into our old religious context and make it fit.

Jesus' point here is that what he brings cannot be made to fit in the old order and old forms of religion with which they were familiar. No, to do that would be destructive to both the old and the new.

What Jesus brings is new, fresh, and transformational. It will rip apart anything that tries to force it into another way of doing, perceiving and experiencing. The Kingdom Family is God's way of doing life, not just another religion to be thrown into the world mix of faiths.

PRAYER:

Father, you are the One and True God. I come to you today asking you to strengthen my resolve and deepen my commitment to live according to your will, revealed by Jesus. I confess to you that I find it easy to rationalize away the bite in some of Jesus' words and simply combine his teaching with what I already believe. Through your Spirit, I pray that you will help me see your truth in Jesus, and not just my prejudices. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Related Scriptures:

- 2 Cor. 5:16-17

- Matt. 12:42

The law was given through Moses. But grace and {the way of} truth came through Jesus Christ. - John 1:17

What Jesus Did! - Fasting?

Then the followers of John came to Jesus. They said to Jesus, "We and the Pharisees fast often. But your followers don't fast. Why?" Jesus answered, "{When there is a wedding,} the friends of the bridegroom are not sad while he is with them. But the time will come when the bridegroom will leave them. The friends are sad when the bridegroom leaves. Then they will fast.

- Matthew 9:14-15 (ERV)

THOUGHT:

Jesus wanted John's disciples, along with his own disciples, to realize that while he was with them, it was a time of joy. This was not a time of mourning or fasting or weeping. It's simply inappropriate to fast at wedding feast.

No, a wedding feast is a time of celebration. But as bold as this statement is about Jesus' presence altering everything, we also find a hint that his death will alter everything again, and this time in a much more painful way. The point: Jesus' presence conditions the time; it changes everything; it determines our joy.

PRAYER:

Almighty and tender Shepherd, I thank you for loving me so much that you hear my prayers. I believe that Jesus' presence means joy for my life. But I also recognize that I live between his two appearances on earth, and thus the joy is not as great as it was when he was here and far less than it will be when he returns. Give me strength, courage, and joy so that I can face the challenges of this waiting time with faithfulness. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Related Scriptures:

Revelation 19:6-9

6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

"Hallelujah!

For our Lord God Almighty reigns.

7 Let us rejoice and be glad

and give him glory!

For the wedding of the Lamb has come,

and his bride has made herself ready.

8Fine linen, bright and clean,

was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)

9 Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' " And he added, "These are the true words of God."

Matt. 12:42

42 The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here.

Matt. 26:27-29

27 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you.

28 This is my blood of the[a] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

29I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom."

What Jesus Did! - Sinners

I will tell you something. Go and learn what it means: 'I don't want animal sacrifices; I want you to show kindness to people.' I did not come to invite good people. I came to invite sinners." - Matthew 9:13 (ERV)

THOUGHT:

God has never wanted to condemn. That has never been his purpose. His Old Testament Laws were meant to distinguish the Israelites as his people and preserve them from spiritual and physical harm.

When people rebel, rather than looking forward to punishing them for their sin, God grieves over the rebellious child. He yearns to bring restoration. When Jesus comes as Immanuel, he teaches and shows that God seriously cares about reaching and redeeming rebellious sinners.

Incredibly, both Jesus and John the Baptist have more success with those who are in outright rebellion than with those who have been inoculated by their legalistic religious debates. Jesus came to the lost, the broken and the least, to save, mend, and make first.

PRAYER:

Loving and merciful Heavenly Father, give me a heart of concern for those who around me are lost. I am convicted today of your gracious love and sacrificial concern for those who are caught in sin. Please use me as an instrument to give them hope and bring them to you. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.

Related Scriptures:

20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."- Matt. 1:20-21

15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.

16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.- 1 Tim. 1:15-16

Why? Because I want faithful love, not sacrifice, {I want people} to know God, not {to bring} burnt offerings. - Hosea 6:6

What Jesus Did! - Dinner with Sinners

Jesus ate dinner at Matthew's house. Many tax collectors and other bad people came and ate with Jesus and his followers. The Pharisees saw that Jesus was eating with these people. The Pharisees asked Jesus' followers, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and other bad people?" Jesus heard the Pharisees say this. So Jesus said to the Pharisees, "Healthy people don't need a doctor. It is the sick people that need a doctor.
- Matthew 9:10-12 (ERV)

THOUGHT:

It's one thing to minister to the outcasts and sinners in public preaching; it's quite another to go to their parties. Jesus did both. It made everyone in the religious power structure very nervous, and eventually, very beligerent. But Jesus came to earth on a mission. A little disapproval from some religious snobs didn't slow him down any.

Jesus' purpose, however, was not to cause controversy but to share salvation and fellowship with his new disciple and his friends. To this day, the best way for people to come to Christ is through a friend who has recently become a Christian. True friendship always shares our fellowship with our friends and Jesus!

PRAYER:

Father, thank you that Jesus had his mission so clearly in mind when he served here. Thank you that criticism would not derail him from this ministry. And Father, I ask for eyes to see and ears to hear so that I might minister to others who are seeking for the answers only you provide. In the grace and the name of the Lord Jesus I pray. Amen.

Related Scriptures:

So go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach those people to obey everything that I have told you. You can be sure that I will be with you always. I will continue with you until the end of the world." - Matthew 28:19-20

{Why do I say people are like that?} Because John came, and he did not eat {like other people} or drink wine. And people say, 'He has a demon inside him.' The Son of Man came eating {like other people} and drinking wine, and people say, 'Look at him! He eats too much and drinks too much wine. He is a friend of tax collectors and other bad people.' But wisdom is shown to be right by the things it does." - Matthew 11:18-19

What Jesus Did! - Authority

When Jesus was leaving, he saw a man named Matthew. Matthew was sitting at his place for collecting taxes. Jesus said to him, "Follow me." Then Matthew stood up and followed Jesus.
- Matthew 9:9 (ERV)



THOUGHT:

Not only does Jesus have the authority to forgive sins, he has the authority to command sinners to follow and they follow. They respond with a change of heart and behavior.

A classic example is Matthew the tax collector -- tax collectors in Jesus day were renown for using their position for personal gain and were associated with traitors who sold out to the Roman occupiers.

He is a great witness that Jesus cares for all and goes in search of all. He is a great reminder that redemptive love allows no cultural or social barriers to love. Matthew's response is the great reminder that many sinners are looking for a Savior. All they need is someone to show them how to get him.



PRAYER:

Holy and merciful God, thank you for coming to this world to save sinners. I thank you for the grace you've given to me. Please help me be more gracious to others and come closer to your grace and forgiveness. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.




Related Scriptures:

Jesus said, "Today is the day for this family to be saved from sin. Yes, even this tax collector is one of God's chosen people ! The Son of Man came to find lost people and save them." - Luke 19:9-10


{Why do I say people are like that?} Because John came, and he did not eat {like other people} or drink wine. And people say, 'He has a demon inside him.' The Son of Man came eating {like other people} and drinking wine, and people say, 'Look at him! He eats too much and drinks too much wine. He is a friend of tax collectors and other bad people.' But wisdom is shown to be right by the things it does." - Matthew 11:18-19




Jesus heard this, and he said to them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor. It is the sick people that need a doctor. I did not come to invite good people. I came to invite sinners." - Mark 2:17

What Jesus Did! - Authority

Jesus knew they were thinking this. So Jesus said, "Why are you thinking such evil thoughts? The Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins. But how can I prove this to you? Maybe you are thinking it was easy for me to say, 'Your sins are forgiven.'


{No one could see if it really happened.} But what if I say to the man, 'Stand up and walk'? Then you will be able to see that I really have this power." So Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "Stand up. Take your mat and go home." And the man stood up and went home. The people saw this and they were amazed. The people praised God for giving power like this to people.
- Matthew 9:4-8 (ERV)


THOUGHT:

Jesus has authority! All authority! Not just on the earth, but in heaven. While we may be amazed at the miracles of Jesus -- his power over nature, his power over disease, his power over death, and his power over sin are of ultimate importance to us.

He can liberate us from sin's hold and set us free. We can be forgiven, cleansed and delivered from sin. While giving a paralytic back his ability to walk is amazing, giving us forgiveness of sin is saving!


PRAYER:

Almighty God, thank you for sending Jesus to be the atoning sacrifice for my sin. Thank you that you loved me so much that you emptied heaven of your sinless Son so he could be the ransom for my sin. Thank you that I can stand before you without spot or blemish and be free from any accusation, holy in your sight, because of Jesus' forgiveness. It is in Jesus precious name I pray. Amen.

Related Scriptures:

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me".-Matt. 28:18

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace

8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.- Eph. 1:7-8

13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.- Col. 1:13-14

What Jesus Did! - True Friends

Jesus got into a boat and went back across the lake to his own town. Some people brought to Jesus a man that was paralyzed (crippled). The man was lying on a mat. Jesus saw that these people had much faith. So Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "Young man, you'll be glad to hear this! Your sins are forgiven." Some of the teachers of the law heard this. They said to themselves, "This man (Jesus) talks like he is God--that is blasphemy. "
- Matthew 9:1-3 (ERV)



THOUGHT:

* True friends are friends that help us find Jesus and let him minister to our needs and brokenness.

Like the unnamed friends in this story, we must come to realize that the best thing we can do for a friend is help that friend come to Jesus.

* Our faith can make a huge difference in the lives of those closest to us.

What's so amazing about Jesus is that he ministers to our real need, not just our apparent need.

* The key is finding him, and helping others find him.

* He'll do the rest, working his will in our lives if we're truly willing to let him take control of our own.

* Of course, he will work on what we most need, not necessarily what we most want.

Unfortunately, there will always be those who will criticize us, along with Jesus, for doing his work.

"It doesn't fit the way things are 'normally' done," they would accuse.

* "Precisely," I imagine Jesus saying, "something needs to be done differently enough to be truly redemptive. That's why I came!"




PRAYER:

Holy and generous God, I surrender to you all of my life. I confess that there are parts of my life and my heart that I sometimes try to keep hidden from you. But this story of Jesus reminds me that the only person I'm fooling and hurting is
myself. Heal what is broken in me. Take a look at it all, and humble me gently and remake me by your redemptive grace. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.



Related Scriptures:


These two men followed Jesus after they heard about Jesus from John. One of these two men was named Andrew. Andrew was Simon Peter's brother. The first thing Andrew did was to go find his brother, Simon. Andrew said to Simon, "We have found the Messiah." ("Messiah" means "Christ. ") Then Andrew brought Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked at Simon and said, "You are Simon, the son of John. You will be called Cephas." ("Cephas" means "Peter. ") - John 1:40-42


A friend loves at all times. A true brother always supports you, even in times of trouble. - Proverbs 17:17


Some friends are fun to be with. But a close friend can be even better than a brother. - Proverbs 18:24

What Jesus Did! - Driven Away

The men that had the work of caring for the pigs ran away. They went into town and told the people what happened. They told about all that happened with the pigs and with the men that had demons. Then the whole town went out to see Jesus. When the people saw Jesus, they begged him to leave their area.
- Matthew 8:33-34 (ERV)


THOUGHT:

The status quo is very powerful!

* We would rather things not change if they are going to threaten us or our livelihood, even though that change might mean something better for others.

* We would rather things not change when the change makes us look at things differently or forces us to treat others differently at our expense.

* We would rather things not change if we don't understand the change or the reason for the change.

So we had better not be overly quick to pass judgment on the folks who asked Jesus to leave.

Change makes most of us uncomfortable in one way or another.

* Jesus' goal, however, isn't merely change; he is about deliverance, blessing, and transformation.

* He wants us to be transformed by the Holy Spirit to become more like him.

* That is his goal; and if we seek him as Lord, his transformation in us will be every bit as dramatic over time as it was with the men who had demons.

*** So the question is, do you want him to leave you alone or to leave you changed? ***



PRAYER:

Righteous God, forgive me when I see the irritating things in others rather than their need for salvation. I know that your work of transformation needs to continue in me, so that I might live for you in today's world. Change my heart, my behavior, and my thoughts to be like my Savior. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.




Related Scriptures:

* My little children, again I feel pain for you like a mother feels when she gives birth.

* I will feel this until you truly become like Christ.

* So we continue to tell people about Christ.

* We use all wisdom to counsel every person and teach every person.

* We are trying to bring all people before God as people who have grown to be spiritually mature in Christ.

** To do this, I work and struggle using the great strength that Christ gives me. That strength is working in my life. - Colossians 1:28-29; Galatians 4:19



A student is not better than his teacher. But when the student has fully learned, then he will be like his teacher. - Luke 6:40



And our faces are not covered. We all show the Lord's glory. We are being changed to be like him. This change in us brings more and more glory. This glory comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. - 2 Corinthians 3:18

What Jesus Did! - Destruction and Victory

Near that place there was a large herd of pigs feeding. The demons begged Jesus, "If you make us leave these men, please send us into that herd of pigs." Jesus said to them, "Go!" So the demons left those men and went into the pigs. Then the whole herd of pigs ran down the hill and into the lake. All the pigs drowned in the water.
- Matthew 8:30-32 (ERV)



THOUGHT:

Two truths are powerfully illustrated by these verses.
1. First, Jesus commands and demons must obey. He is superior to them. They cannot stand against him.

2. Second, the goal of the demonic world is to destroy. The plight of the men possessed -- unclothed, out of their mind, self-destructive, living in the place of the dead, isolated from people -- and the ultimate end of the herd of pigs both remind us that the demonic world, no matter how alluring or seductive or powerful, has as its goal our destruction.

The crucifixion of Jesus, which lies ahead, will be the place that Jesus' superiority will ultimately conflict with the demonic world's desire to destroy. For three days it appears as if the demonic world will win. Jesus' triumphant resurrection is the great reminder that he is Lord. He has the power to defeat every enemy. Our ultimate victory in Jesus is assured just as surely as their ultimate defeat is certain.



PRAYER:

Holy God, please give me wisdom to see through the temptations of Satan and the allure of the demonic world. Don't let me ever forget that Satan's ultimate desire for me is my complete physical, spiritual, and social destruction. Thank you for sending Jesus to absorb the demonic world's blows intended for me and to free me from the power of death forever. In the mighty name of Jesus, your Son and my Savior, I pray. Amen.



Related Scriptures:

Those children are people with physical bodies. So Jesus himself became like those people and had the same experiences people have. Jesus did this so that, by dying, he could destroy the one who has the power of death. That one is the devil. Jesus became like those people and died so that he could free them. They were like slaves all their lives because of their fear of death. - Hebrews 2:14-15


Then I saw heaven open. There before me was a white horse. The rider on the horse is called Faithful and True.

He is right in his judging and in making war.
His eyes are like burning fire.
He has many crowns on his head.
He has a name written on him, but he is the only one who knows the name. No other person knows the name.

He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood. His name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him. They were riding white horses. They were dressed in fine linen, white and clean. A sharp sword comes out of the rider's mouth. He will use this sword to defeat the nations.

He will rule the nations with a rod of iron. He will squeeze {the grapes} in the winepress of the terrible anger of God the All-Powerful. On his robe and on his leg was written this name: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS

Then I saw an angel standing in the sun. The angel said with a loud voice to all the birds flying in the sky, "Come together for the great supper of God. Come together so that you can eat the bodies of rulers and army commanders and famous men. Come to eat the bodies of the horses and their riders and the bodies of all people--free, slave, small, and great."

Then I saw the animal and the rulers of the earth. Their armies were gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army. But the animal was captured. Also the false prophet was captured. This false prophet was the one who did the miracles for the animal. The false prophet had used these miracles to trick the people who had the mark of the animal and worshiped his idol. The false prophet and the animal were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. - Revelation 19:11-20

You died with Christ and were made free from the worthless rules of the world. So why do you act like you still belong to this world? I mean, why do you follow rules like these: - Colossians 2:20

What Jesus Did! - Those Who Know

Jesus arrived at the other side of the lake in the country of the Gadarene people. There, two men came to Jesus. They had demons inside them. These men lived in the burial caves. They were very dangerous.

So people could not use the road by those caves. The two men came to Jesus and shouted, "What do you want with us, Son of God? Did you come here to punish us before the right time?"
- Matthew 8:28-29 (ERV)



THOUGHT:

Jesus is in foreign territory. This is a region of the Gentiles -- herds of pigs, other side of the lake, Gadarenes, tombs, dangerous people, and demons are all reminders that Jesus is going to encounter a different world than in the land of the Israelites. We are reminded in this story that Jesus is Lord of all people, all circumstances, and all entities. There is no rival to him: not in authority, not in power, or not in character.

As Jesus encounters the demons, they know immediately that they are in the presence of a greater power and are defeated. They know their time is short. Their only surprise is that their demise has come sooner than expected. Even though their presence has made the men they possess terrifying to others, they are no obstacles for Jesus. He is Son of God, Immanuel, and Lord. He is the great Power. He is the King of Kings. He is Jesus!



PRAYER:

Holy God, I believe that no power has the ability to dominate or to steal me from your grasp because you are so far superior to all powers. In the name of Jesus I demand they leave me alone as I fix my eyes on Jesus, your Son and my Savior. In the name of Christ Jesus my Lord I pray. Amen.



Related Scriptures:


"that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father. " Philippians 2:10-11


"When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature,
God made you alive with Christ.

He forgave us all our sins,
having canceled the written code,
with its regulations,
that was against us and that stood opposed to us;

he took it away, nailing it to the cross.
And having disarmed the powers and authorities,
he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. " Colossians 2:13-15

"Jesus of Nazareth! What do you want with us? Did you come to destroy us? I know who you are--God's Holy One!" - Mark 1:24

What Jesus Did! - What Kind of Man?

Jesus answered, "Why are you afraid? You don't have enough faith." Then Jesus stood and gave a command to the wind and the waves. The wind stopped, and the lake became very calm. The men were amazed. They said, "What kind of man is this? Even the wind and the water obey him!"
- Matthew 8:26-27 (ERV)




THOUGHT:

There is nothing than can stand in the way of Jesus. No enemy has the power -- he simply casts out the demons. No teacher or skeptic can stump him with a question. No disease can withstand his call for healing. Not even nature can baffle or threaten him.

He is not just a man. He is God's Son. He is Immanuel, God with us. But until we can fully understand who he is, we can be secure that he will care for us and bring us to his home!

Fear is not just being troubled with circumstances; it also is the uncertainty about what will ultimately happen to us. Jesus shows his disciples that their safety, their destiny, is under his command and nothing can withstand his grace offered to bless his disciples.




PRAYER:

My God, Almighty Lord, please act with your strong power to still the storm in the hearts of those I love. Give them peace and calm and lead them to know that Jesus is not only their source of help, but that he is so much more than a mere mortal man. In the name of Jesus my Lord I pray. Amen.




Related Scriptures:


Jesus said, "Come, Peter." Then Peter left the boat and walked on the water to Jesus. But while Peter was walking on the water, he saw the wind and the waves. Peter became afraid and began sinking down into the water. Peter shouted, "Lord, save me!"

Then Jesus caught Peter with his hand. Jesus said, "Your faith is small. Why did you doubt?" After Peter and Jesus were in the boat, the wind became calm. Then those followers in the boat worshiped Jesus and said, "Truly you are the Son of God." - Matthew 14:29-33



Arm (power) of the Lord, wake up! Wake up! Be strong! Use your strength like you did a long time ago, like you have from ancient times. You are the power that defeated Rahab. You defeated the Dragon. - Isaiah 51:9



Yes, I am sure that nothing can separate us from God's love--not death, not life, not angels or ruling spirits. I am sure that nothing now, nothing in the future, no powers, nothing above us or nothing below us--nothing in the whole created world--will ever be able to separate us from God's love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:38-39

What Jesus Did! - Trust vs. Crisis

Jesus got into a boat and his followers went with him. After the boat left the shore, a very bad storm began on the lake.

The waves covered the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The followers went to Jesus and woke him. They said, "Lord, save us! We will drown!"
- Matthew 8:23-25 (ERV)


THOUGHT:

The biggest issue in this story is not the storm. Just like the biggest issue in each of our crises is not the crisis. It's all about trust. Can we trust the one we follow to provide for us through the storms of life?


But more than that, the issue is whether or not we can trust his protection and care even when he does not appear to be paying attention to our troubles?

The Psalms are full of cries of desperation, pleas for God to awaken to the people's plight, and for God to quit closing his eyes to their problems. But just as God sustained Israel through the storms of destruction and defeat, Jesus, Immanuel (God with us), will also sustain, protect and ultimately deliver his followers.

PRAYER:

O Father, be near and not far. Hear my cries for those who are broken, defeated, and despairing. You alone can lighten their load and ease their burden. You alone can sustain them through their storms.

Please hear their cries and my voice too, as we all offer up our requests for your sustaining and protecting care until the day we are delivered directly into your eternal presence. In Jesus' name I pray.





Related Scriptures:




I look up to the hills {for help}. But where will my help really come from?

My help will come from the Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth.

God will not let you fall. Your Protector will not fall asleep.

Israel's Protector does not become sleepy. God never sleeps. - Psalm 121:1-4






Lord, don't correct me in anger.

Don't be angry and punish me.

Lord, be kind to me.

I am sick and weak. Heal me!

My bones are shaking.

My whole body is shaking.

Lord, how long {until you heal me}? - Psalm 6:1-3






How long will you forget me, Lord?

Will you forget me forever?

How long will you refuse to accept me?

How long must I wonder if you have forgotten me?

How long must I feel this sadness in my heart?

How long will my enemy win against me? - Psalm 13:1-2

What Jesus Did! - The Hard Follow

Then a teacher of the law came to Jesus and said, "Teacher, I will follow you any place you go." Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes to live in. The birds have nests to live in. But the Son of Man has no place where he can rest his head."

Another man, one of Jesus' followers, said to Jesus, "Lord, let me go and bury my father first. {Then I will follow you.}" But Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and let the people that are dead bury their own dead."- Matthew 8:19-22 (ERV)

THOUGHT:

At first glance, Jesus is unusually harsh to these two would-be followers. Jesus, however, is making clear that anything other than our allegiance to him must be secondary to following him. There must not be any rival to the complete lordship of Jesus over every area of our lives. Such a life is demanding, and as events that follow show, even terrifying at times.

There is, however, one thing that makes that life powerful and exciting: the Lord is in the lead. He sets the agenda. He provides the strength. He gives the protection. He works with power. While leaving all, risking all, and giving up all sounds quite sacrificial, it is also the doorway to finding an all-sufficient, almighty Savior.

PRAYER:

Holy Lord, I surrender my heart, my life, my possessions and my future to you. Lead me in the path that pleases you and gives you the greatest allegiance in my use of time, influence, money, and abilities. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Related Scriptures:

"Enter through the narrow gate {that opens the way to heaven}. The road that leads to hell is a very easy road. And the gate to hell is very wide. Many people enter that gate. But the gate that opens the way to {true} life is very small. And the road to {true} life is very difficult (hard). Only a few people find that road. - Matthew 7:13-14

Jesus continued to say to all of them, "If any person wants to follow me, he must say 'No' to the things he wants. That person must accept the cross (suffering) that is given to him every day, and he must follow me. The person that wants to save his life will lose it. And every person that gives his life for me will save it. - Luke 9:23-24

It is the same for each of you. You must decide if you can leave everything you have to follow me. If not, you cannot be my follower! - Luke 14:33

What Jesus Did! - Disciple

Jesus saw that all the people were around him. So Jesus told his followers to go to the other side of the lake.
- Matthew 8:18 (ERV)

THOUGHT:

Jesus had this intriguing habit of withdrawing from the crowds. At first glance, we want to correct him, and remind him, that he is trying to win the world for God. How is he going to do that by running away from folks who are seeking him?

Then we realize how ludicrous such a thought is, and we realize the audacity of even thinking we could give him advice. Hopefully, this insight will lead to conviction. Jesus wasn't trying to gain an audience; he was trying to prepare an army. He is not trying to gain a following; he wants to forge followers. He didn't need "hangers on"; he was looking for disciples. A disciple, a true follower, doesn't just go around listening to all the neat stuff the Teacher says.

No, a true disciple is going to become like the Teacher. In the process of becoming like the Teacher, the true follower will be confused, amazed, bewildered, astounded, tested, saved, broken, encouraged, exposed, protected... Jesus’ goal for his disciples was to make true followers. He wasn’t interested in a big church membership roll; he wanted committed followers! That is as radical today as it was then.

Yes, true followers will be church members, but they're also going to be a lot more. They're going to live to share Jesus' life with others and teach them how to live it.

PRAYER:

O majestic Lord, forgive me for wanting the easy way and the popular discipleship. Today I'm asking for your help to become a true follower of Jesus, displaying his character and living by his values. In Christ's name I pray. Amen.

Related Scriptures:

Jesus knew that the people wanted him to become king. The people planned to come get Jesus and make him their king. So Jesus left and went into the hills alone. After Jesus said these things, many of his followers left him.

They stopped following Jesus. Jesus asked the twelve apostles, "Do you want to leave too?" Simon Peter answered Jesus, "Lord, where would we go? You have the things that give life forever. We believe in you. We know that you are the Holy One from God." - John 6:15, 66-69


A student is not better than his teacher. But when the student has fully learned, then he will be like his teacher. - Luke 6:40


The people were amazed. They asked each other, "What is happening here? This man is teaching something new. And he teaches with authority (power)! He even gives commands to evil spirits, and the spirits obey him." So the news about Jesus spread quickly everywhere in the area of Galilee. Jesus and the followers left the synagogue.

They all went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon's mother-in-law was very sick. She was in bed and had fever. The people there told Jesus about her. So Jesus went to her bed. Jesus held her hand and helped her stand up. The fever left her, and she was healed.

Then she began serving them. That night, after the sun went down, the people brought many sick people to Jesus. They also brought people that had demons inside them. All the people in the town gathered at the door of that house. Jesus healed many people that had different kinds of sicknesses. Jesus also forced many demons to leave people. But Jesus would not allow the demons to speak, because the demons knew who he was.


The next morning, Jesus woke up very early. Jesus left the house while it was still dark. He went to a place to be alone and pray. Later, Simon and his friends went to look for Jesus. They found Jesus and said, "All the people are looking for you!" Jesus answered, "We should go to another place. We can go to other towns around here. Then I can tell people {God's message} in those places also. That is why I came." - Mark 1:27-38