{"id":1596,"date":"2023-11-19T08:28:03","date_gmt":"2023-11-18T22:28:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/david-watters\/?p=1596"},"modified":"2023-11-19T08:28:06","modified_gmt":"2023-11-18T22:28:06","slug":"56-jesus-calms-the-garasene-storm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/david-watters\/2023\/11\/19\/56-jesus-calms-the-garasene-storm\/","title":{"rendered":"(56) Jesus calms the Garasene storm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Preface:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Living on the ocean gives us the advantage sometimes of seeing a storm coming. We can watch it roll in and close the windows before it gets here. It\u2019s easy to recognize a physical storm and be prepared for it. But, what about the storms you encountered in your heart? The storms that often overwhelm your emotions and hinder you from making good decisions? What can you do to be prepared for those kind of storms?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Passage: <\/strong>Mark 5:1-20<\/a>, Luke 8:26-39<\/a>,<\/a> Matthew 8:28-34<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Process:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  1. What had just happened prior to this passage? (Mark 4:35-41) What had the disciples witnessed, and what was their conclusion? (Mark 4:39, 41)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. After weathering the storm on the sea, what were they confronted with once arriving \u201con the other side?\u201d (Mark 5:2-5; Matt 8:28)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. How many demons did this man have living in him? (Mark 5:9)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. How did these demons respond when confronted by Jesus? (Mark 5:7-13)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. How did the \u201cherdsmen\u201d respond after witnessing what Jesus did? (Mark 5:14-17)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. How did the formerly possessed man respond? (Mark 5:18-20)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    The Purpose:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    What was God doing? Why did He have this written down?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Having left the religious leaders and the whole scene there in Capernaum, Jesus had told his disciples that he wanted to go to the other side of the sea. (Mark 4:35) Jesus didn\u2019t tell his disciples why, he simply said, \u201cLet\u2019s go across to the other side.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Along the way they had encountered the storm of their lives. They had experienced terrifying fear. But, Jesus had calmed the wind and the waves with just 3 words, \u201cPeace! Be still.\u201d<\/strong> (Mark 4:39) One moment they feared for their lives, and the next, they stood in awe, having been delivered by One who was stronger than the waves. The reality of what they witnessed and the conclusion put great fear into them. It would be something they would never forget! Jesus had given them His greatest illustration. Not just a mysterious story with a private interpretation, but a real live illustration, showing them where their faith needs to be! Little did they know that Jesus was leading them into yet another storm, a storm of a different kind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The moment they got off the boat they were confronted by a terror of a man. Matthew actually said there were 2 men. (Matt 8:28). But, Mark and Luke focus on the prominent of the 2. Matthew also says that these men were, \u201cso fierce that no one could pass that way.\u201d<\/strong> (Matt 8:28) This was another kind of storm. Why had Jesus brought them here? The disciples took Jesus with them thinking He was tired and needed a break to rest and recoup after all that had happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Jesus was acting once again as the Instrument of His Father. As we have seen many times, here is yet another example that there was nothing in His life that was not the activity of the Father in and through the Son. As Jesus approaches the man, the legion of demons fall at Jesus feet, and are completely submissive to Him. The beg for mercy and even ask permission for where to go when Jesus casts them out! Jesus brings peace to a storm tossed soul!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Moments ago, this man had been a terror. Everyone knew who this guy was and what he was like. Many had tried to subdue him. The people of the town were probably embarrassed to be known for the place of the crazed demon possessed man. The stories of this guy were probably well known and widely publicized. So, when the herdsmen witnessed what happened and went into the city and in the country, telling the story, people came from all over to see what had happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As they came, what they saw astonished them. This man, who no one could tame, no one could bind (Mark 5:3), this man who had broke chains apart and shred shackles into pieces (Mark 5:4), was now, clothed, in his right mind, and just sitting at the feet of Jesus! (Luke 8:35) How many had been a part of trying to bind him? How many of the towns people had encountered this man? Matthew 8:28 said he was \u201cso fierce that no one could pass that way.\u201d<\/strong> of these people had gone that way, and were either confronted by him, or were forced to take a detour to avoid him? And now, here he is, just quietly sitting at the feet of Jesus! Wow! What a display of shear authority!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As they witnessed the change in this man, and knew the authority and power it represented, instead of believing and turning to Jesus, they were seized with fear (Matt 8:37) and began to beg Jesus to depart their region! <\/strong>But for the man who had been delivered, Jesus sends him back to his home to become a missionary to his own people, proclaiming God\u2019s mercy and the incredible works of God!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Plan:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    As I ask these questions of myself, I encourage you to ask them too.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n