STORY ABOUT CHRIST AND SWINE

DAILY MANNA

Sunday, January 23rd

Text: Matthew 8:23-34

Please Open Your Bible ⤵️

23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.

24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.

25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.

26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

28 And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.

29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?

30 And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.

31 So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.

32 And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.

33 And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils.

34 And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.

Key Verse: “And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.” (Matthew 8:34)

Message

In life, we cannot avoid making choices. Much of the progresses we have made in life have come because of our decisions and choices. It is human to make wrong choices occasionally because of our limited knowledge. But there are some mistakes that are too foolish to be tolerated, especially when they have dire consequences.

Such was the poor case of the inhabitants of Gergesenes. When Christ arrived at their region, two demon-possessed people who lived in a graveyard met Him. They were so fierce that no one dared cross their path. The demons in them quickly recognised Christ as the “Son of God” and pleaded to be allowed to relocate into a nearby herd of swine, which at once rushed down a steep slope and perished in the water. The frightening report of the swine herders drew the inhabitants of the city to the scene. The people unanimously requested Christ to leave their coast. They cherished the swine more than their souls.

The Jews preferred Barabbas, a condemned notorious robber, to Jesus their Messiah. They opted for Christ’s crucifixion. This goes to show the extent of the fickleness of the human heart. Today, due to political, economic and social gains, many are still rejecting the Lord Jesus Christ. They would rather have their “swine” than have the only Saviour of the world and the salvation of their souls.

Unfortunately, many worldly-minded and covetous people profess to be Christians but they have little or no appetite for spiritual things. Whereas, genuine, heaven-bound believers constantly crave Christ’s presence and power.

Thought For The Day: Light will always dispel darkness.

The Bible In One Year: Acts 20-21

Meditation

Demonism exposed

1. Question: Why the fearful storm? vv23-25.

Answer: To hinder, drown and block the Saviour and the disciples so that the demonic will not be delivered? vv28-29.

Question: Could the roaring storm have drowned or blocked Jesus and the disciples?, vv25,26.

Note: The angry demonic waves and storms of life can not hinder the work and plan of God for your life if you can cry unto God. So fear NOT

2. Question: The fierce demonised man was living in the tomb. Why? Could it be that was where their original host was buried and they decided not to let go even after death?

Answer: One thing is sure, devils are more comfortable living in the congregation or society of the spiritually dead.

3. Question: Why did the demons asked Jesus not to torment them?, v29.

Answer: To the demons, staying without an habitation is torment on its own. It is either they remain in their captives or they are given an alternative accommodation in order to avert torment before hell fire. That is why demons will not leave an habitat or captives except by force, v29.

Question: Why did the devil pleaded to enter the swine?, v31.

Answer: In the Law, the swine is ceremonially unclean and the Jews had no business rearing them in the first place. They stand for rebellion against the word of God and uncleanness. This is the kind of environment demons have the right and love to live in unhindered 

4. Question: Why didn't the demons just left and go and inhabit another sinner? Why did they have to take permission from Jesus?

Answer: Demons cannot just possess anyone, even sinners, without divine permission.  You must have broken the edge before the serpent can bite. If you are a believer,  demonic possession is a taboo and there is nothing to fear

5. Question: The swine were about 2000 (Mark 5:13). How many demons possessed the 2 people then?

Answer: Obviously more that 2000 demons possessed the 2 people

Question: Why couldn't they share themselves among many more sinners rather than staying in just 2 people?

Answer: Demons move in groups because of fear of being cast out. But they always pretend to be bold, James 2:19. Also, they cannot possess any without clear legal permission.

6. Question: Jesus answered the request of the filthy demons!, v32. Why do people think that Jesus will not answer their prayers as children of God?

Answer: Ignorance of Christ and His word

Prayer points

Praise God because the word of God has exposed demons🙏

Ask God to visit you and His Church and deal with every uncleanness 🙏

Pray for fire of the Holy Spirit in your church so that it will not be a congregation of the dead🙏

Ask God for the power of God to come down mightily in the coming crusade and deliver all demon oppressed and demon possessed participants🙏

Hymn: With signs following

1. When first the risen Lord of pow’r

His chosen ones sent forth,

A charge He gave, that solemn hour,

To preach His saving worth.

“Go ye,” said He, “to all mankind;

Declare My Word, and ye shall find:

These signs shall surely follow them

Who on My Name believe.”

2. “No demons shall before them stand,

No poison do them harm;

Nor subtle serpent in their hand

Cause pain or dread alarm.”

For Satan’s kingdom He o’ercame,

To give His people right to claim:

“These signs shall surely follow them

Who on My Name believe.”

3. “They shall with other tongues declare

The wonders of their God:

The sick beneath their hands, by prayer,

Shall rise, to prove My Word,”

So let it be! Firm as His Throne

Stands this clear promise to His own:

“These signs shall surely follow them

Who on My Name believe.”

4. Crowned with the flame of Pentecost,

A faithful, fearless band

Proclaimed His Name: a ransomed host

Arose from every land.

The Lord worked with them from on High,

His proven Word could none deny:

“These signs shall surely follow them

Who on My Name believe.”

5. No word of Thine is void of power;

No Promise, Lord, is vain.

Be this a Pentecostal hour –

Confirm Thy Word again!

Nor can’st Thou fail! Thou art the same

As when of old Thou did’st proclaim:

“These signs shall surely follow them

Who on My Name believe.”