A Preacher In Gadarene
And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and wore no clothes neither abode in any house, but in the tombs. (Luke 8: 27)
Here we find a living human being living amongst the dead. Naked with a legion of demons inside him. The towns people are so afraid of this man that no one would approach him. If they saw him they would walk on the other side of the road to avoid him; some would say he is crazy.
Throughout Jesus' ministry he restored those were separated from the community. He cleanse the leapers, he gave the blind sight, he made the lame to walk, and the sinners gave their lives to God.
The herdsmen witness Jesus cleanse this man and they ran and told all that was done to the people. Many who read this unique healing remember the swine when the demons entered them and running wildly off the cliff into the lake drowning. No many see the call of this man to ministry.
Scripture tells us that when the towns people arrived and saw the man sitting at Jesus' feet they were afraid and asked Jesus to depart from their land, therefore Jesus shook the dust off his feet, without a word, left.
Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus clothed, and in his right mind and they were afraid. They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed. Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear and he went up into the ship and returned back again. (Luke 8: 35-37, Key Bible, KJV)
The man then makes a request of Jesus to follow him but Jesus told him no (Luke 8: 38). This man living in the graveyard, mistreated by the townspeople wanted to go with his teacher and Lord. A person who was not afraid of him and yet not only did Jesus heal him, he called the man to ministry.
Return to thine own house, and show how great things God hath don unto thee. And he went his way and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him. (Luke 8: 39).
Jesus did not reject him, he called him and he became as much a disciple as those in the ship with Jesus. Jesus was saying turn around you have your first appointment and the people behind you are your congregation. According to scripture the man proclaimed the Gospel with success.
No matter who we think we are, and what ever condition we may be in, and no matter where we are, God can and will use us when we surrender to his will. Jesus just didn't happen to stop by for a rest. He stopped by to heal, restore, and call this man to a greater purpose. The people were afraid because if they knew the power of God the man probably would not have been in the condition he was in, furthermore, they would have been praising God for the work Jesus did, not mourning over the lost of a few thousand swine, which was costly in terms of money, yet rewarding for the soul.
It is written, what good does it do for a man to profit the world and loose his soul. Is God calling you from living with the dead (sin) to the glorious light (salvation).
Here we find a living human being living amongst the dead. Naked with a legion of demons inside him. The towns people are so afraid of this man that no one would approach him. If they saw him they would walk on the other side of the road to avoid him; some would say he is crazy.
Throughout Jesus' ministry he restored those were separated from the community. He cleanse the leapers, he gave the blind sight, he made the lame to walk, and the sinners gave their lives to God.
The herdsmen witness Jesus cleanse this man and they ran and told all that was done to the people. Many who read this unique healing remember the swine when the demons entered them and running wildly off the cliff into the lake drowning. No many see the call of this man to ministry.
Scripture tells us that when the towns people arrived and saw the man sitting at Jesus' feet they were afraid and asked Jesus to depart from their land, therefore Jesus shook the dust off his feet, without a word, left.
Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus clothed, and in his right mind and they were afraid. They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed. Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear and he went up into the ship and returned back again. (Luke 8: 35-37, Key Bible, KJV)
The man then makes a request of Jesus to follow him but Jesus told him no (Luke 8: 38). This man living in the graveyard, mistreated by the townspeople wanted to go with his teacher and Lord. A person who was not afraid of him and yet not only did Jesus heal him, he called the man to ministry.
Return to thine own house, and show how great things God hath don unto thee. And he went his way and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him. (Luke 8: 39).
Jesus did not reject him, he called him and he became as much a disciple as those in the ship with Jesus. Jesus was saying turn around you have your first appointment and the people behind you are your congregation. According to scripture the man proclaimed the Gospel with success.
No matter who we think we are, and what ever condition we may be in, and no matter where we are, God can and will use us when we surrender to his will. Jesus just didn't happen to stop by for a rest. He stopped by to heal, restore, and call this man to a greater purpose. The people were afraid because if they knew the power of God the man probably would not have been in the condition he was in, furthermore, they would have been praising God for the work Jesus did, not mourning over the lost of a few thousand swine, which was costly in terms of money, yet rewarding for the soul.
It is written, what good does it do for a man to profit the world and loose his soul. Is God calling you from living with the dead (sin) to the glorious light (salvation).
Amen!
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