Matthew 23-34

Please read Matthew 8:23-34 prior to reading this blog.

Matthew 8:23-27 This is another Bible story that has been in many sermons. Jesus and the disciples were on a boat that was to cross the Sea of Galilee to the other side. The reason was not stated so we are not sure why Jesus wanted to cross Sea of Galilee. The boat they were on was most likely one of the fishing boats large enough to hold the 12 disciples and Jesus. Click here to see a video off that style of boat. The boat was not very big and certainly one that could not take on a lot of water. The waves on the sea were getting rough and the winds were picking up so the sail would have been pulled up and they may have started rying to keep the boat straight into the waves with the oars. Jesus was sleeping through all this which in itself shows his humanity. He was tired and was to the point where he could sleep through anything. The disciples were getting nervous and feared that they would sink. They awoke Jesus and told him they were in danger and might perish. Jesus stated: "Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?" What was Jesus referring to: Why shouldn’t they worry? Jesus had demonstrated that he was the son of God. They did not have enough faith in Jesus to weather the storm. If Jesus was the son of God the disciples should not have feared for their lives. Fear here is the same as lack of faith. The disciples were still questioning the fact that Jesus was the son of God.

 Matthew 8: 28-34

Jesus was heading to Gadarenes. Upon arrival two men met him when they landed and they were demon possessed. They were very violent men so they were keeping others away. The demon possessed men immediately recognized Jesus and the son of God. Not only the Son of God they also knew what he would do to them. Cast us into the pigs the demons and that is what happened. The herdsmen lost all their pigs and I am sure they were ticked off about that. They went into the city and let everyone know what happened. Either from fear of someone that had that power to cast out demons or mad because the herd of pigs were killed they implored Jesus to leave. They may have thought he was a more powerful demon.  You would think that they would be grateful for casting out the demons but no they were afraid. Fear was at work again.

Psalms 89:8 O LORD God of hosts, who is like You, O mighty LORD? Your faithfulness also surrounds you. Psalms 89:9 You rule the swelling of the sea; when its waves rise, you still them.

Agape

Dave