Storm Rebuked..
Beside the Sea of Galilee, JESUS had been teaching and healing, even into the evening the crowds pressed upon Him. Day after day among His Disciples, He ministered to them with scarcely pausing for food or drink. The malicious criticism and misrepresentations mainly given by the Pharisees that followed to cause discord between the crowd. They were so afraid of The Truths and Power that JESUS was sharing. It put these clergymen in a false order to their prior claims and indignations expressed. JESUS was wearied and sought refuge in His Father, finding a solitary place across the lake. The eastern shore of Gennesaret was not uninhabited, for there were towns scattered around the lakeside. Yet, much less populated then the western bank. The people were more into heathen beliefs, than the Jewish tradition, much less crowded than Galilee. HE bade His Disciples to leave with Him. After, He had dismissed the multitudes, the thirteen then, entered the boat, and hastily set off. But, they were not alone. Others were following in their boats, still eager, to see and hear JESUS.
The Saviour was last relieved from the pressure of the multitudes, and, overcome with the weariness and hunger, HE layed down in the stern of the boat, and fell asleep. The evening had been calm and pleasant, and a quietness rested upon the lake. But, suddenly darkness overspread the sky, the wind gushed through the mountain gorge along the eastern lakeshore. The sun had set, and the blackness of night came heavily upon them. A fierce tempest burst upon the lake. It brought the lower depths of the waters up, exploding into hightened walls of ravishing waves, which pounded and slammed the fishing crafts, as miniture toy models. The winds and waves violently roared around these fishermen. Never experiencing a violent storm quite as this. These sailing vessels began to fill with water. Absorbed in their efforts to save themselves, they had forgotten, that JESUS was on board. The boat was tossed to and fro, without mercy. The crew became so frightened. Paralized in fear, they began calling, “Master, Master!” But, the darkness and deafening roar, was not allowing their cries, to communicate their emergency. Had JESUS forsaken them? Was HE who healed diseases and rebuked demons to flee, was He powerless to rescue them now? Was He unmindful of them now, in their distress? Again, they called, but there was no answer from The Saviour. The boat was sinking and there seemed to be no hope.
Suddenly a flash of lightening pierces the darkness, and they see that JESUS is still asleep at the stern. In amazement and despair they exclaimed, “Master, carest Thou not that we perish?” How can He rest so peacefully, while they are in danger and battling with death? Their cries arouses JESUS. As the lightening flashes reveals His Movements. They see The Peace Of Heaven upon His Face. They see His self-forgetful, tender love, and turning to Him; they cried “LORD, save us: we perish.” Never did a soul utter that cry unheeded. As the disciples grasp their oars to make the last effort, JESUS rises. HE stands in the midst of of His Disciples, while the tempest rages, the waves breaking over their boat, and the lightening illuminating His Countenance. HE lifts His Hand, so often to employed in deeds of Mercy, and HE says to the angry waters,”Peace, be still!”
The storm ceases. The billows sink to rest. The clouds roll away, and the stars above shine forth. The boat rests upon a silenced calm lake, once again. Then turning to His Disciples, JESUS asks sorrowfully,”Why are ye fearful? have ye not yet faith?” Mark 4:40. A quietness fell upon the group. The other boats which accompanied JESUS and His Disciples had experienced the same peril. Terror and despair had also, filled their hearts. But, this command of JESUS brought a quiet calmness over the total lake region. All the boaters saw this miraculous event. The people whispered among themselves, “What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”
When JESUS was awakened, He was in perfect peace. There was no trace of doubt or fear in His Heart. But, He rested not in the possession of almighty power. It was not as the “Master of earth, sea and sky” that He carried an inner peace. That power which He had laid down, and He says, “I can of Mine Own Self do nothing.” John 5:30. HE trusted in The Father’s Might. It was in Faith–Faith In GOD’s Love and Care–that JESUS rested, and The Power Of That WORD, which stilled the storm was The Power Of GOD. As, JESUS rested by Faith in The Father’s Care, so we are to rest in The Care Of Our Saviour. Its called “Blessed Assurance”. If the disciples would have truly trusted in JESUS, they would of been held in peace. Their fear during the storm revealed their unbelief. In their efforts to save themselves, they forgot The LORD’s Promise of being there for them. It was when they reached despair in their own self-dependence, they turned to JESUS for His Help.
There is another spiritual lesson in the stilling of the tempest. Every person’s experiences testifies The Truth Of the WORD Of Scripture, “The wicked are like the troubled sea, which they cannot find rest…There is no peace, saith My GOD, to the wicked.” Isaiah 57:20,21. Sin destroys humanities’ peace. However, fierce the tempest, those whom will turn to The Saviour with a heart cry, “Lord save us,” will find deliverance in His Tender Grace. HE quiets the strife of humanness and reconciles the soul back to GOD. He sets their hearts at rest and brings them to the Desired Haven. “Being Justified by faith, we have peace with GOD through our LORD JESUS Christ.” ” The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.” Romans 5:1; Isaiah 32:17; Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25.
How often is an extreme incident, in this degree, falls into our own personal encounters of events. Becoming intense beyond our own reasoning or solution to them. JESUS Is: EverPresent; He desires our dependance; our heart and soul given to him. HE will guide and teach us what we need to know in our daily trials. JESUS will bring us out of: All The Storms We Encounter In Our Living…In Faith: We Will Overcome; Standing Beside HIM; Hand-in-HAND…Nothing Will Prevail: Only HIM & Us!
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Two Demoniacs
In the early morning The Saviour and His Disciples came to shore, and the light of the rising sun touched sea and land, as with benediction of peace. But, no sooner had they stepped upon the beach, than their eyes were greeted by a sight more terrible then the prior tempest waters. From some hiding place among the tombs, two madmen rushed upon them as an violent rage. Hanging about these two men were broken chains, from their escape, still wrapped around their wrists and ankels. Their flesh was torn and bleeding where they had been cutting themselves with sharp stones. Their eyes bulged out fro their long daggling matted hair. the likeness of humanity seemed to have been blotted out by the demons that possessed them. They looked more like wild beasts than, like men. the disciples fled in terror, seeing that JESUS was not following among them. HE was standing close by the two demoniacs. When the men, gnashing their teeth, and foaming at the mouth, approached Him. JESUS raised that hand which fashioned creation, and beckoned the waves to rest, the lost crazed men stopped and could not come any closer. They stood and continued raging but helpless before Him.
With Authority HE bade the unclean spirits to come out of them. HIS Words penetrated the darkened minds of these unfortunate men. They realized dimly that One was near who could save them from the tormenting demons. They fell at The saviour’s Feet to worship Him, but when their lips were opened to entreat His Mercy. The demons spoke out, through them, crying vehenently, “What have I to do with Thee, JJESUS: Thou Son Of GOD Most High? I beseech Thee, torment me not.” JESUS asked, “What is thy name?” And they answered ,”My name is legion, for we are many.” Speaking through these two victims, they communicated as mediums. They besought JESUS not to send them out of the country. Upon a mountaintop not far of a distance from them was a herd of swine. Into the pigs ; the demons asked to be allowed to enter. JESUS commanded the spirits to do this. Immediately the swine panic and rushed down the cliff. They ran into the lake and drowned. A wonderful change came upon the two men. Light had shown upon them. Their minds were healed; the evil spirits were completely gone. Intelligence shown and their eyes became clear and bright. Their past distorted faces became softened and expressed a calmness of humanness. Their bloodstained hands became gentle and quieted. Voices of praise were heard from their joyful hearts. Praising Almighty GOD.
From the cliff the herdmen had seen their swine perish, and the two imprisioned men become normal, standing beside The Visiting Stranger. They hurriedly left to tell this occurance to the other townsmen. In fear and amazement the whole community of people flocked to meet JESUS. The two demoniacs had been the terror of the country. No one had been safe to approach the townspeople. In the past, travelers were rushed away by these two violent men. Now, these both were clothed and in their right mind. Sitting at the feet of JESUS and listening to His every word. The herdsmen did not rejoice at the deliverance of these two. They seemed more consumed by the loss of the swine. It was in His Mercy, that allowed the swine to drown. The owners were centered on earthly things, and cared not for the great interests of spiritual Life. JESUS desired to break the spell of selfish indifference, that they might accept His Grace. But, regret and indignation for their temporal loss blinded their eyes to The Saviour’s Mercy.
The manifestation of supernatural power aroused superstitions of the people, and excited their fears. They were apprehensive; fearing further calamities to fall upon them, with this Stranger amongst them. Also, financial ruin. The townspeople in terror thronged JESUS, begging Him to depart from them. HE complied with their demand and sailed once more to the opposite shore. The people of Gergesa had before witness the Living Evidence of Christ’s Power and Mercy. The two were now held in saneness, restored to reason. But, the people did not wish to vanquish their earthly interests. They treated Christ as an intruder; The Gift of Heaven was turned away from the door of their hearts. Many today do the same.. refusing The Offer of Healing; Joy; Meaningful Living; and Love. The wordly desires and lusts become prominate in their living. That The Saviour’s Salvation and Redemption become as “nothing” in their seeking. The hearts become hardened and the ears become deaf to The Spirit’s Calling.
When JESUS was boarding the boat; the two healed men followed Him at His Side. They beg to be with Him. JESUS told them to go back to their homes and share of The Miracle that beheld them.. Here was The Work for them to do. It would be a difficuly mission; sharing among this heathen inhabited country. But, they went and told their families and neighbors. They went throughout Decapolis, everywhere declaring His Power to save. It is in working to spread The Gospel Goodness Of Salvation that we are brought close to The Saviour. These men were the first evangelist sent our in the area of Decapolis. With them receiving the healing, they were prepared in spirit to follow Christ’s Command. John, the beloved disciple; wrote-“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of The Word Of Life…that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you.” 1John 1:1-3. As witnesses for Christ, we are to tell what we know, what we ourselves have seen and heard and felt. If we have been following JESUS step by step, in our lifetime, we then could account for His Heartful Care and His Love for others.
With those souls whom have been degraded into instruments of satan are still through The Power Of Christ transforms us into messengers of righteousness. JESUS still rebukes the demons which all acquire in wordly living. Minds, hearts, and bodies are transformed into a new being. A Newness that breaks forth, as a morning daybreak. If we come humbly in heart to Christ, our New Beginning; will continue; seeking Him daily. Sent forward by The Son Of GOD to tell what “great things The LORD hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.” Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20.
Earth's Closing Hours 