December 23, 20223
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Reading along with us in our Advent readings from “The Life of Jesus”? Here’s today’s reading:
Day 23 in the Book: “The Life of Jesus“
The Year of Popularity
Read Sections 3.53 through 3.56 (pages 63-66)
This book is an account of Jesus’ life and teachings told through in chronological order from the four Gospels to create one continuous story.
*If you do not have a copy of the book please contact the church at (401)667-0775 and we can get you a copy.
Advent Day 23
After Jesus calms the storm, he asks the disciples, “why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” It makes me consider my own faith. When life is crazy, the world is crazy, things are so unpredictable and some scary life-changing or threatening things might occur, do I have faith that Jesus will protect, provide, intervene? I am sinning when I worry, or am fearful.
“Lord increase my faith!”
I also thought it was interesting that when the man with the evil spirits was made clean, the people living in that area, who must have been troubled and threatened by his demonic behavior, begged Jesus to leave! And the man who was now free from the demons, begged to go with Jesus. Sometimes we judge the “demon-free” folks as “Christians” or at least good by the world’s definition, and its those who have been demon-freed who are the real followers of Jesus.
Jesus and His followers after the calming of the storm come to the other side of the lake. A man full of many demons ran to Jesus and fell down before Him and asked What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God. I beg you in God`s name not to punish me. This man was so strong and that no one could control him. He would break his chains and cut himself. These demons pleaded with Jesus not to send them out of that area but rather into swine. He did and the swine drowned in the lake. There was about 2,000 swine. It would appear that there was that many demons in the man. The man was left in his right mind and was wearing clothes. Every time Jesus encounters demons they know who He is and their power is no match to Him. Sometimes He tells them to be quiet of who He is. It is interesting to see how much they fear Him but the Pharisees, other leaders, and many other people either don`t acknowledge Him or are clueless. Sometimes people are afraid of losing business like in area where Jesus showed His power. The healed man went throughout 10 towns telling people what Jesus did for him. After Jesus calmed the storm and healed this man, Jesus and His followers went back to the other side of the lake. Perhaps only to accomplish these two things. This time He heals the daughter of Jairus who is a synagogue leader who dies and brings this 12 year old girl back to life. Jesus tells her parents to be quiet about what He did. Only the girl`s parents and three of His disciples see the miracle. Whether they kept quiet we don`t know. Some times when Jesus tells someone to be quiet they go and tell anyways just like the two blindmen that He healed in this passage. Two others that He healed were the woman who had been bleeding for 12 years and had gotten worse even though doctors had seen her. And another man that had a demon. This man could not talk until Jesus cast the demon out. Jesus went to His home town where He did few miracles. He grew up here and the people doubted who He was even His own brothers and sisters which Mary had with Joseph. Names of four of the brothers are James, Joses, Judas, and Simon. The names of the sisters are not mentioned here. May the Lord bless us all.
Advent 2023 – Day 23
Although Jesus’ power to cast out the demons from this man is awesome, especially considering the overcoming strength he demonstrated over others, there are elements of the account that I look forward to ask Jesus about. Now I have heard the reason He sends the demons in the pigs was because they were unclean animals and they shouldn’t have been raising forbidden food. And the reason that they are afraid and ask Jesus to leave is either because they are upset with what He did, or didn’t quite know what to do with One who demonstrated this kind of power, or just did not want to deal with the conviction of who Jesus really is (something not atypical for people in the world). But it is all speculation and I would love to get an answer from the source. And I really love the next 2 accounts. First there is the woman with the issue of bleeding. It is a great picture of seeking all the world has, to resolve an issue, and then finally finding the answer in Jesus. As well as a clear demonstration of the difference between a touch of need and faith and contact that wasn’t about those things. And how neat it is that Jesus feels power leave Him when the touch of faith happens. And second, you just can’t beat the accounts of Jesus raising people from the dead. The great enemy defeated in real time.
The power of faith in Christ is shown in the next accounts. And the quandary the miracles of Jesus put the Jewish leaders in. They can’t attribute it to God because then they would have to believe Jesus. And if it is isn’t God than it must be coming from the opposite power. And it is tough for those most familiar with Jesus to believe and respect Him. But it also is no excuse either. Jesus demonstrated clearly that He was who He claimed to be. SO the problem was with those in Nazareth and not with Jesus.
The woman tried everything on her own to get better, and then she discovered Jesus. So she humbled herself, damaging her reputation by stepping out into a crowd when she was unclean. To get to Jesus, she was bold, determined, and courageous; trusting that all she needed to do was reach out and touch his cloak to be healed. And because of her faith, when she did so, she was cured of her affliction. Sometimes we need to do the same when we are in need of healing. When we have tried everything to get better on our own, and made no progress, we come to the realization that Jesus is our only hope. When we surrender the situation to him, humble ourselves, and with determination and boldness take a huge step of faith, Jesus will do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. Then we break through the deception that we need to be in control of everything to have things work out and we see the mighty power of God in the midst of our weakness as we experience all the love, grace, acceptance, restoration and blessing that our Lord has for us.