A Herd of Swine Matthew 8:30

Matthew continued his gospel concerning Jesus as he wrote, “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. And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with you, Jesus, you Son of God? Are you come here to torment us before the time?”, and in chapter eight and verse thirty of his book, Matthew shared how there was, “a herd of many swine feeding” where we read:

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

The verse reads, “And there was a good way off from them ...” Matthew began with the words, “and there was a good way off” or “there existed a great distance away” “from them” which means “from the two men who were possessed with devils”. Matthew shared how there was something that was a great distance away from where Jesus, the disciples and the two demon possessed men were standing.

The verse goes on to say, “... a herd of many swine feeding.” Matthew continued with the words, “a herd” or “a drove or large group” “of many swine” which means “of plenteous and a large group of hogs” “feeding” or “grazing in a pasture”. Matthew shared how in the great distance away there were “hogs” “grazing” in a pasture.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see how he acknowledged the group of “hogs” that were a little ways off from where Jesus, His disciples and the two possessed with devils were located. This continues in the next portion of this story, but for now let it suffice that God created the animals, “the swine”, that He was going to use for this purpose. God is an all-powerful loving God who desires to have a relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and when they yield their lives to Him, He may even employ “hogs” to demonstrate His power.

Next time Matthew shares how the devils asked Jesus, “to go away into the herd of swine”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

What Do Devils have to Do with Jesus? Matthew 8:29

Matthew continued his gospel with these words concerning Jesus, “when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he said unto them, Why are you fearful, O you of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marveled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him! 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”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-nine of his book, Matthew shared how the devils asked Jesus, “what have we to do with you” where we read:

And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with you, Jesus,

you Son of God? Are you come here to torment us before the time?

The verse reads, “And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with you, Jesus, you Son of God?” Matthew began with the words, “and, behold” or “and lo and see”, “they cried out” which means “the demon possessed men spoke with a loud voice and vociferated”, “saying” or “uttering, proclaiming, declaring and questioning”, “what have we to do” which means “what even and indeed do the two demon possessed men have to do” “with you” or “with Jesus”, “Jesus” whose name means “Jehovah is Salvation” and is “the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate”. Matthew shared how these “demon possessed men” not only recognized Jesus as the Son of God, but were greatly concerned why Jesus came to them.

The verse continues, “Are you come here to torment us before the time?” Matthew added the words, “are you come here” or “have you appeared and become know in this place” “to torment us” which means “to torture, vex with grievous pains of body or mind, harass or distress the demons” “before the time” or “in advance and in front of the due measure, fixed, definite, opportune and seasonable time”. Matthew shared how the demons wanted to know if Jesus appeared to them to “torture” them in advance of the preset time for doing so.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we learn how the “demons” not only recognize Jesus for who He is, the Son of God, but they were greatly concerned that He was approaching them to “torture and distress” them before the time set to act in this manner. God has a plan, and He is always going to work it out, and even if there are “demonic” forces at work, none of them are more powerful than He. In fact, they fear Him. This Almighty God desires to have a relationship with every person who will yield their life to His Son Jesus, and when they do, no power in hell shall be able to conquer because Jesus is at their side.

Next time Matthew shares how there, “was a good way off from them a herd of many swine feeding”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Two Possessed with Devils Matthew 8:28

Matthew continued his gospel with the following words concerning Jesus, “when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he said unto them, Why are you fearful, O you of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marveled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-eight of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus and the disciples met, “two possessed with devils” where we read:

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.

The verse reads, “And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, ...” Matthew began with the words, “and when” or “and at the time and moment” “he was come” which means “Jesus arrived and appeared” “to the other side” or “on the other side of the sea upon which He and His disciples were sailing” “into the country” which means “the region and tract of land” “of the Gergesenes” or “belonging to the place located on the eastern shore of Lake Gennesaret which means a stranger drawing near”, “there met him” which means “there encountered Jesus” “two” or “two men who were ” “possessed with devils” which refers to “under the power of demons”. Matthew shared at the time when Jesus and His disciples crossed the sea upon which they were sailing, two men who were demon-possessed “met” them on the other side.

The verse goes on to say, “... coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.” Matthew continued with the words, “coming out” or “proceeding from, forsaking, leaving and escaping from out” “of the tombs” which means “from the sepulchers and memorial burial monuments”, “exceeding fierce” or “greatly and beyond trouble, dangerous, harsh and savage”, “so that no man” which means “insomuch that, so then, therefore and wherefore no person whether male or female” “might pass by that way” or “could have the power, force and ability to go past and move forward through the tombs”. Matthew shared how the “two demon possessed men” were “savagely” “proceeding toward Jesus and His disciples” from the “sepulchers”.

When we think though Matthew's words in this verse, we see how intimidating these two men were who met Jesus and His disciples. No other person even dared to attempt to go by there. Though people could not pass through that way for the “fierceness” of the men, Jesus had no problem approaching them. Jesus was and is more powerful than any “evil force”, and this demonstration of His power only extends a greater invitation to every person to have a relationship with Him. May all who consider this omnipotent God yield their lives to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”, and let Him deal with the “demonic forces” within the world.

Next time Matthew shares how the devils say, “what have we to do with you, Jesus, you Son of God?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

What Manner of Man is This? Matthew 8:27

Matthew the apostle continued to write about the ventures of Jesus and shared, “when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.” Matthew continues, “And he said unto them, Why are you fearful, O you of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-seven of his book, Matthew shared how the disciples asked, “what manner of man is this?” where we read:

The verse reads, “But the men marveled, saying, What manner of man is this, ...” Matthew began with the words, “but” or “moreover and” “the men marveled” which means “the disciples in the boat with Jesus wondered and admired Him”, “saying” or “uttering, declaring and proclaiming” “what manner of man” or “what sort or quality of person” “is this” which means “is this One in whom they are following”? Matthew shared how the disciples were “admiring and wondering” who Jesus actually was.

The verse continues, “... that even the winds and the sea obey him!” Matthew added the words, “that even the winds” or “that indeed and also the violent agitation and stream of air or a very strong tempestuous wind” “and the sea” which means “ the raging body of water upon which they were sailing” “obey him” or “hearken, submit and listen to Jesus' command”. Matthew shared how the disciples noted the way the tumultuous “winds and sea” “submitted” to Jesus.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see the reaction of the disciples to Jesus' power, and anyone who will consider this amazing feat will marvel as well. The true “marvel” is that this God desires to have a relationship with every person who will yield their lives to Him, and the “Master” of the raging “winds and seas” makes Himself available for each and every “storm” His followers encounter. The question is, “will they have enough faith to believe He is able to calm the violent storms in their lives?”

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus “met two possessed with devils”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Why are You Fearful? Matthew 8:26

Matthew the apostle continued to write about the ventures of Jesus and shared, “when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-six of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus asked His disciples, “why are you fearful?” where we read:

The verse reads, “And he said unto them, Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Matthew began with the words, “and he said” or “and Jesus uttered, declared, proclaimed and questioned” “unto them” which means “to the disciples”, “why are you fearful” or “for what reason are the disciples timid and faithless” “O you” which refers to “the disciples” “of little faith” which means “who are trusting too little, incredulous and lacking confidence”? Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples they were “timid and lacking confidence” as He asked them why they were so “faithless”.

The verse goes on to say, “Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.” Matthew added the words, “then he arose” or “at that time and moment Jesus rose from His sleep”, “and rebuked” which means “and taxed with fault, rated, chided, reproved and censured severely” “the winds” or “the violent agitation and stream of air or a strong tempestuous wind” “and the sea” which means “and the raging body of water upon which they were sailing”; “and there was a great” or “and suddenly there appeared a massive and intense” “calm” which means “peace, tranquility and stillness of the sea”. Matthew shared how Jesus rose from His sleep and “sharply admonished” the torrential “winds” and “raging seas” which resulted in a great peace and stillness.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus had power over the physical elements including the atmosphere and weather. Where He and His disciples were in a massive storm, Jesus simply spoke the word, and everything was “calm” and “still”. Jesus is the “Master of the Winds and Seas” and since He was the Creator of them, they were within His control. This awesome and powerful God desires to have a relationship with every person who will yield their lives to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”, and those who are wise shall not only acknowledge His Almighty power, but also align with Him in “belief and trust” rather than “faithlessness” in their times of “tempestuous storms”.

Next time Matthew shares how the disciples asked, “what manner of man is this?, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Lord, Save Us Matthew 8:25

Matthew shared, “when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side. And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow you wherever you go. And Jesus said unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has not where to lay his head. And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.” Matthew added, “And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-five of his book, Matthew shared how “the disciples came to him” … and said, “Lord, save us” where we read:

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

The verse reads, “And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, ...” Matthew began with the words, “and his disciples” or “and Jesus' learners and pupils” “came to him” which means “approached and drew near to Jesus”, “and awoke him” or “and aroused Jesus from His sleep”. Matthew shared how the “disciples” woke sleeping Jesus from His resting.

The verse continues, “... saying, Lord, save us: we perish.” Matthew added the word, “saying” or “uttering, declaring and proclaiming” “Lord” which means “the One whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master and the title given for God the Messiah”, “save us” or “keep we disciples save and sound, free from injury and rescue from danger and destruction”: “we perish” which means “the disciples were being destroyed, rendered useless, being put to death, loss and ruin”. Matthew shared how Jesus' “disciples” needed rescuing from the Lord because they believed they were “being destroyed and put to death”.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus was resting while the “disciples” were greatly distressed. Even though several of them were experienced fishermen, they needed to wake Jesus because they made two assumptions: First, that Jesus could help them, and secondly, that they were about to die. Trouble was certainly surrounding the “disciples” as the “waves” were crashing over the side of the boat, but Jesus was with them all the time. Those who desire a relationship with God through His Son Jesus may know with certainty that God is constantly with them, and when the “waves of troubles and difficulties” rise to levels that are beyond the ability to manage, call upon Jesus who eagerly desires to aid in the time of need.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus asks His disciples, “why are you fearful?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

A Great Tempest in the Sea Matthew 8:24

Matthew shared, “when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side. And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow you wherever you go. And Jesus said unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has not where to lay his head. And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.” Matthew added, “And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-four of his book, Matthew shared how, “there arose a great tempest in the sea” where we read:

And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea,

insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.

The verse reads, “And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, ...” Matthew began with the words, “and behold” or “and lo and see”, “there arose” which means “there appeared, became and happened” “a great tempest” or “a massive and large shaking, commotion or earthquake” “in the sea” which refers to “within the large body of water in which the boat navigated”. Matthew shared how there was a “great commotion or earthquake” that shook the body of water in which the boat Jesus and His disciples were sailing.

The verse goes on to say, “... insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.” Matthew added the words, “insomuch that” or “in which therefore and wherefore” “the ship” which means “the sailing vessel or boat” “was covered” or “was hidden and veiled in such a way as to hinder the knowledge of a thing” “with the waves” which refers to “with the swells, impulses, restlessness and raging which tossed them to and fro”: “but” or “nevertheless, notwithstanding, moreover and” “he was asleep” which means “Jesus was completely and fully asleep”. Matthew shared how there was such a “great” tossing and “raging” that the boat was “covered” by the waves, but Jesus was sleeping through it all.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see the peace Jesus had during a storm. Though the “waves” were covering the boat in which they were sailing, Jesus was asleep. This demonstrates both the humanity and the divinity of Jesus because He needed physical rest, and He had no worries concerning the outward conditions of the boat. God is always on His throne and in control, and even when He appears to be “asleep” while the “waves” are crashing in around us, He fully knows what is going on. May all who feel like they are experiencing “waves” that are tossing them to and fro in their lives know that Jesus, who may appear to be asleep, is able to contend with whatever “raging” suddenly appears.

Next time Matthew shares how, “his disciples came to him, and awoke him”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.