Send Jesus Away?

We finished today's tour of the Galilee region by going to the shore of the sea of Galilee opposite Tiberias, to a possible place where Jesus delivered the demon possessed men of Gadara.  He had just miraculously calmed a storm which raged upon Galilee, and He would demonstrate His mastery of demons which raged within the bodies of men.  These men were exceedingly fierce and were so terrifying no one dared pass that way.  These men lived among the tombs and one Gospel account said chains could not restrain the ferocity and violence of the man possessed by many demons.

Matthew 8:29-30 reads, "And suddenly they cried out, saying, "What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?" ³⁰ Now a good way off from them there was a herd of many swine feeding."  These men lived like beasts, but the spirits who controlled them recognised afar off Jesus Christ and acknowledged His authority.  They turned out to be more initially perceptive than the Jews who lived in the region.  Gadara was so called because it was inhabited by the tribe of Gad and were therefore Jewish people.  Pigs were deemed unclean under the Law of Moses, so this stands out as odd.  What was with the pigs?  Perhaps they were for trading with people who would eat them.

The story continues in Matthew 8:31-34:  "So the demons begged Him, saying, "If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine." ³² And He said to them, "Go." So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine. And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water. ³³ Then those who kept them fled; and they went away into the city and told everything, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. ³⁴ And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region."  The demons requested a hasty exit into unclean animals, and Jesus permitted them.  The crazed animals tore off running and plunged over a cliff into the sea.  Those responsible to tend the pigs ran into the town to tell others what had happened.  The men once demon possessed were in their right mind, but the people of the town did the unthinkable:  they begged Jesus to leave, even as the demons begged to leave.  They cast out Jesus for doing good.

Why would the people of Gadara beg Jesus to leave?  There are many likely answers.  Jesus was a man too powerful for them to control.  He was seen as responsible for the total destruction of a once thriving business.  They did not understand Him.  They did not trust Him.  And I am convinced that at this point they did not know Him or recognise Him as the Messiah, the promised Deliverer the Father would send.  These are similar reasons to why people reject Jesus as Messiah today.  Almost 2,000 years have passed, and men have not changed.  Thankfully, God hasn't changed either!  He is still a loving, powerful, gracious God who seeks and saves the lost, delivering people from bondage, releasing people from the oppression of Satan and sin, and sets the captives free.

Don't treat Jesus like a devil.  He comes to us as LORD and Saviour and those are blessed who humbly receive Him.  John 1:11-13 reads, "He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. ¹² But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: ¹³ who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."

The Holy Word

Visiting Israel is something the more I do the more I want to do.  I am not particularly fond of the travel time from Australia, but there is nothing in the world like the Holy Land.  Each time has been a unique experience, and thanks to the vast improvement in internet connections I am able to post pictures to Facebook and even blog when time permits.

This morning our group went across the Sea of Galilee on a boat, saw the "Jesus Boat" museum, visited the Mount of Beatitudes, and Capernaum - all before an amazing lunch.  Granted, we did eat a bit late today, but it was a remarkable experience as we reflected on the truths of God's Word.  The life of a Christian is not one living in the past, preoccupied with ancient history, or based on yesterday's choices, but one of every day looking to our risen LORD and Saviour, Jesus Christ.  Jesus has spoken, and for the wise men who still seek Him He has much to say.

One thing which struck me today was something I did not expect:  the signs in the windows of the chapel built over the house of Peter in Capernaum.  On the sign was a photo of a hooded child with an extended finger laid across the lips.  The caption, which looked like it had been written at different times, read "Holy place!  Keep silence please!  No explaining inside. Only for the Holy Mass or prayer."  I can understand it is not conducive to worship when people on a tour are talking loudly over each other.  But it is interesting that a holy place should be a silent place.  There are people who have made vows of silence over the years as a discipline, and self-denial is often viewed as pious or spiritual.

I am grateful God is a holy God and He has chosen to speak.  He did not remain silent but revealed Himself to the world through the scripture, the Law and the prophets, the testimony of nature, Jesus Christ coming to earth to die and rise again, and through the Holy Spirit.  When His disciples asked Jesus questions, Jesus was glad to answer.  His aim was to reveal God's wisdom and love to men, not conceal it.  Jesus said in John 16:12-14, "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. ¹³ However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. ¹⁴ He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you."

Israel's history is an amazing tapestry of God revealing Himself powerfully and miraculously to people through the ages to this day.  Praise the LORD for the revelation of divine love and that He cares for all people by His grace!  Jesus is the Word who became flesh and we have beheld His glory, the only begotten of the Father.  God speaks to be known, heard, feared, understood, obeyed, praised, and glorified!

Rest for Troubled Souls

I recently received word that my cousin Mike Anderson passed recently after a long battle with illness.  I am resigned to the fact God has me in Australia, though most of my family lives in the United States.  In times of tragedy I do wish I could support my cousin Mike and those grieving by fondly remembering his memory, going to the memorial service, and spending time with his friends and family.  It is in these trying times our perspective narrows to the things that matter most and draws us near to those we love.  Death has a way of centering us again, showing us how much we take for granted.

The last deathbed of a family member I had the privilege to attend was Mike's mother, Aunt Lynn.  I couldn't be there for Mike in his last days and hours, but I remember leaving work early to spend time with her and the family.  She knew her life was drawing to an end, and she requested that she be sent home to heaven with a happy gathering, singing songs to Jesus as the family had for her mum.  It was an experience I will never forget.

Aunt Lynn was lying on a hospital bed in the living room.  Many family members came to spend time with her, and I kissed her and held her hand.  We had a sweet talk.  I remember someone had thoughtfully put an Elvis DVD on TV, one of her favourites.  A priest came to administer her last rites when she was beginning to drift off into unconsciousness.  As her life slowly ebbed away with laboured breaths, it occurred to me:  there was no life in Elvis, no power in last rites.  The only hope and power Lynn had for eternal life was found through faith in Jesus Christ, the One who could take that tired, failing body and glorify it forever in His presence.

In his final months Mike wrote to me in an email the only reason why he was still around was because of Jesus, and Jesus is the only One who has the power to keep him from tasting death even after his body passed into eternity.  Jesus spoke of a man dead four days in John 11:23-26:  "Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." ²⁴ Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." ²⁵ Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. ²⁶ And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"  Our bodies die because we are sinners, but those who believe in Jesus shall never die.  Bury our bodies six feet deep, but our souls will be clothed with immortality and be given a new body without sickness, pain, or sorrow.  This is the hope Jesus provides for everyone, purchased at the cost of His precious blood.

There's a lot of people today who say they hate themselves.  They live like gods, doing everything they feel like doing but still hate their life.  Well, God doesn't hate you.  He demonstrated His love for you by dying on a cross and proved His power to save you by Jesus rising from the dead.  Some people may think Mike was given a short straw by a harsh God because he faced debilitating pain and suffering for a great deal of his life which was over too soon.  I don't see it that way at all.  If that horrendous pain was the means necessary to open Mike's eyes to see his eternal need and soften his heart to receive the Gospel for eternal salvation, it was a healing balm for his soul and a path to everlasting peace.  Revelation 21:3-5 describes the scene for all who receive Christ as LORD and Saviour:  "And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴ And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." ⁵ Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."

We only can "Rest in Peace" in this life and for eternity if during our earthly pilgrimage we decidedly take refuge in the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ.  Only in Jesus can a man find eternal rest for His soul (Matthew 11:19).

The Great God

Throughout the testimony of scripture and all history, the God of the Jews has proved His power to be infinitely greater than all others.  God created the heavens and earth and all that is within them, yet men chose to worship as god the works of their own hands.  God gave up people to their own delusions and lusts, yet at times graciously, powerfully, and miraculously revealed Himself so all the world might take note and believe.

After the Hebrews were enslaved in Egypt for centuries, God delivered His people with a mighty hand, through plagues and wonders which showed His superiority over all the idols they worshiped.  Even 40 years later when the nation crossed the Jordan on dry ground and the spies were harboured in the home of Rehab, she proclaimed how they remembered well the miraculous power God did in delivering His people from Egypt.  Another event was when God's people were in two minds, worshiping both God and the Ba'als under the leadership of Ahab and Jezebel.  Elijah suggested they once and for all had a contest to see who was the true God, and God answering with fire from heaven and consuming the sacrifice proved His reality and worthiness of worship.

One of my favourite instances occurs in Daniel 3, when King Nebuchadnezzar built a massive golden image and commanded all the rulers in the realm to attend the grand dedication.  There were musicians present and also a burning furnace - and it wasn't for the comfort of the attendees.  All of the governors and rulers were commanded to bow before the image when the music played or they would be thrown into the furnace.  All but three Jewish men grovelled before the image, and told the king to his face they would not bow down before the image under any circumstance:  the God who they served could deliver them from a fiery furnace, but even if He didn't they would not bow.  Talk about courage!

Infuriated by their candid refusal, Nebuchadnezzar commanded the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than usual and tasked his mightiest men to bind and throw those stubborn men into the furnace.  What an opportunity to show his power before all the rulers, to put unspeakable terror in the hearts of his servants!  Well, the real God turned the tables on this king of the Babylonian empire.  His mighty men were killed by the violence of the flames, and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego fell down into the midst of the fire but started walking around loose!  The flames had cut their bonds and there was a fourth man walking with them who was likened to the Son of God!  On this grand stage, God had proved His power through salvation and deliverance, not torture or death.  After the awestruck king commanded the men to come of the furnace Daniel 3:27 says, "And the satraps, administrators, governors, and the king's counselors gathered together, and they saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them."  Nebuchadnezzar had gathered together all the rulers of his kingdom so his image would be worshiped, but provided front-row seats to display the power of God to deliver.  God alone is worthy of worship.

Satan thought he won a great victory when he used Judas Iscariot as a tool to betray, condemn, and crucify Jesus Christ.  Had Satan realised Jesus was going to defeat death and rise from the grave in glory, providing through His sacrifice salvation and forgiveness for all who repent and receive the Gospel, the devil never would have done it!  As it is written in 1 Corinthians 2:6-8, "However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. ⁷ But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, ⁸ which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory."  Isn't God amazing?  He does not threaten man with hell to make us bow before Him, but Jesus humbled Himself as a perfect sacrifice to demonstrate God's love by dying in the place of sinners.  Through His resurrection we see the power of God revealed, and assures us the eternal life He promises to whosoever will come to Him by faith He can deliver.

Nebuchadnezzar didn't love those rulers, but God loved him and them.  Many times God graciously proved His power, and finally even the mighty Nebuchadnezzar was brought low.  Daniel 4:34-35 reads, "And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: for His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation. ³⁵ All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, "What have You done?"  God is the greatest without question.  Let us praise and worship Him now and forever, for wisdom, might, life, and love are His!