The FaithOfJesus2 Daily Devotional

Focus:

kjv@Revelation:14:12 @ Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

( FaithOfJesus thread begun by rRandyP )

Today's Verse:

kjv@Matthew:8:28-34

kjv@Matthew:8:28 @ 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.

kjv@Matthew:8:29 @ 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?

kjv@Matthew:8:30 @ And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.

kjv@Matthew:8:31 @ So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.

kjv@Matthew:8:32 @ 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.

kjv@Matthew:8:33 @ 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.

kjv@Matthew:8:34 @ 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.

Today's notes: Go

Context:

Before - even the sea obeys
After - the power to forgive sins

What is man believing/doing?:

not able to pass by tombs
keepers fleeing to city
whole city coming out to reject Jesus

What is making man to believe/do as he is doing?:

fierceness of devils
fleeing to tell others what had happened to herd
whole city beseeching Jesus to leave their coasts (possible fear of devils returning, fear of Jesus drawing more, religious/economic impact)

Notes:

dict:all GADARENES dict:all GADARA

There appears to be a frequent association by devils to the grave or the dead. Men certainly fear death, but what lies beyond has the power to control/influence. Devils then frequent capture this territory to thus capture the fear and imagination of many more.

There is a context being developed in this chapter of the authority of Jesus being His authority being surrendered to the authority of the Father and the Father then proving Jesus by the proving of power of His submission. Many/most of the people recently witness to the proving light of this divine process will turn to reject Jesus rather loving their darkness more instead.

Key Messages:

What does this say about our present condition?

There seems to be a reaction to exceeding force and fierceness that defies description that people learn to settle with. Devils historically have been made into gods and worshiped, they've become adopted, they've become a sign or symbol or mascots for outsiders/enemies to stand aside. They become part of the lore and culture, they become idols, they are consulted by tribal priests and leaders; to the point where if by chance removed leaves a fearful resentment.
There is a morbid fascination of Hollywood and movie going audiences today with the demonic, the super human, the exceedingly fierce, the dead and undead. It would follow, if previous comment is true, that this environment is a perfect place for devils to stake their territorial claim.
Often is the case a city will rally to come out against what has been done against it where it could not rally itself against the evil long contained within it.
Fear known and familiar is better suited to most than fear unknown and sudden.

Further Resources:

Comment Board:Matthew:8:28-34
index:FAITHOFJESUSDEVOTION - Devotional Index
strkjv@Matthew:8:28-34 rwp@Matthew:8:28-34 mhcc@Matthew:8:28-34
FaithOfJesus2 - Devotion Index

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