The Desperation that Drives Us to Jesus

Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus’ feet, he implored him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying (Luke 8:40-42a).

Jesus returned to the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. There was a great crowd waiting for Him. The witness of His miracles in their communities was still fresh in their minds… “The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them” (Luke 7:22). They longed for more of His special teaching that transformed their hearts… “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God” (Luke 8:10). Perhaps they would see a demonstration of His delivering power as they had heard about His victorious encounter with the Gerasene Demoniac… “They came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind” (Luke 8:35). Our Teacher, the Holy Spirit, directs our attention to one in the crowd that had a different motivation for seeking the Lord. His daughter was dying. Casting aside all pretense, this “ruler of the synagogue” fell down before Jesus’s feet and begged Him to come into his home. In this incredible scene, truth seekers get a glimpse of the desperation that drives us to Jesus.

We all desperately need the help only Christ can give. Jairus was a man of authority. But he was facing a threat that exceeded his jurisdiction. The impending loss of his only daughter was beyond his power and his desperate need drove him to seek the help of Jesus. True disciples recognize and rely on the power of Christ in our witnessing… “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8), and ministry efforts… “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you” (Luke 10:19). Like Jairus, the world needs to see the power of Christ reflected in and through disciples that trust and offer His help to a desperate world.

We all desperately need the humility only Christ can give. Jairus was a man of position. When he stood in the synagogue people were silenced and they bowed in respect. But the looming loss of his only daughter brought him to his knees at the feet of a greater authority. His desperate need drove him in humility to Jesus. True disciples acknowledge and affirm the sovereignty of Christ in everyday living… “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:15-17), and kingdom-building work… “And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent” (Colossians 1:18). Like Jairus, the world needs to see the sovereignty of Christ reflected in and through disciples that live in humility before Him in a proud and desperate world.

We all desperately need the hope only Christ can give. Jairus was a man of faith. He diligently searched and taught the scriptures to promote the faith of others. But the approaching death of his only daughter drove him to hope for her life in Jesus. True disciples are protected and preserved by the certainty of Christ’s promises here on earth… “Training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:12-13), and as we look forward to our resurrected lives in Heaven… “According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3). Like Jairus, the world needs to see the certainty of eternal life reflected in and through disciples that hope in Him in the midst of an uncertain and desperate world.

As we grow up into Christ with a growing spirit of humility, we learn to hold onto…

The Desperation that Drives Us to Jesus.

The Response that Christ Requires

When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. And those who had seen it told them how the demon-possessed man had been healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him (Luke 8:34-39).

Jesus showed up and produced a miracle. A demon possessed man was delivered. When news of the miracle spread, people came to confirm it. They found the delivered man “sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind’. This was irrefutable evidence of the miracle working power of Jesus Christ. Even before they heard the testimony of those who witnessed the miracle, the people were afraid. After hearing from the witnesses, they begged Jesus to leave the area. Surely they were not afraid of the formerly deranged man who was now so docile. Were they afraid Jesus might confront their sinful hearts next? Were they afraid he might destroy more of their pigs, the primary source of their income? It’s difficult to know what provoked the fear in their hearts, but it’s clear here to earnest truth seekers that when Jesus shows up and shakes up our world there are three primary responses. Today our Teacher, the Holy Spirit, leads us to a revelation of the response that Christ requires.

When Jesus shows up we can run from Him. Just as Jesus showed up for the demoniac, He showed up for me when I was eight years old. I had seen a very scary movie when I was five and it left me with nightmares that drove my parents crazy and drove me to ask God to replace my fear with His peace. One night Jesus showed up in a dream and spoke the words “We’ll choose this one”. While the nightmares stopped, I spent the next 21 years running from what I suspected might be a call to full-time ministry. I knew that fully trusting Jesus was going to shake up my comfortable life. How about you? Is there a place in your life where Jesus is moving but fear prompts you to wish He might just go away? Is He shaking your life and calling you to a new place? Trust me… trust Him. Don’t run from Him. There’s no better place to be than in the center of His will… “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).

When Jesus shows up we can run to Him. The freshly delivered victim in today’s text climbed into the boat to be closer to the man that had delivered him. He wanted to be near the compassion and power that set him free. He wanted to know Jesus more intimately. He wanted the presence of Jesus to surround him for the rest of his life. Looking back, I can now see that Jesus did not quit pursuing me after that powerful encounter at eight years of age. He was always there as I grew older. My waning interest in Him did not deter His interest in me. He conspired and moved relentlessly until the desperate moment when I needed another miracle. He showed up and delivered, but this time I ran to Him and accepted His invitation to a living relationship with Him. Where is Jesus calling you to increased intimacy with Him? There is no better place to be than in His presence and close to His heart… “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you” (Psalm 73:25).

When Jesus shows up we can run for Him. Jesus sent the new disciple back to share the good news with others in his hometown. Here we learn about the response Jesus requires of true disciples. True intimacy with Christ produces a desire to know and imitate His servant heart. I remember that within months of trusting Christ I was serving Him in full-time pastoral ministry. Is your growing fellowship with Jesus prompting you to serve others? There is no better place to be than imitating the heart of Christ in service… “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve” (Mark 10:45).

As we grow up into Christ we learn to run for Christ and to serve others because this is…

The Response that Christ Requires.

The Dominion that Defeats the Demons

Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. When Jesus had stepped out on land, there met him a man from the city who had demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he had not lived in a house but among the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me.” For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many a time it had seized him. He was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert.) Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” for many demons had entered him. And they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss. Now a large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they begged him to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned (Luke 8:26-33).

After Jesus demonstrated His authority over creation by calming the storm with a rebuke, He moved on to the next lesson for His disciples. When they arrived on shore at the opposite side of the Sea of Galilee, a demon possessed man showed up exactly on cue for a confrontation with Christ. There were three persons at the center of this conflict. There was the demon called Legion, the poor victim of his possession, and the Son of God. Our Teacher, the Holy Spirit, leads us to see how this three-person confrontation reveals the cruelty and corruption of demonic activity but also clearly demonstrates the Dominion that defeats the demons.

We see here the cruelty of the demons. The Bible gives little evidence of the origin of demons and unclean spirits. We know they are separate from the fallen angels because they have a desperate need to possess the bodies of human beings. The angels have no need of a body because they can make themselves appear as human beings… “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (Hebrews 13:2). The demons are homeless, on a relentless pursuit of a human body to inhabit… “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came’” (Luke 11:24). They are foolish because though they publically confessed who Jesus was, they did not fear Him They feared only what He could do to them… “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7). Their foolishness left the demons bound and shackled, and their harassment of human beings reminds us that misery loves company.

We see here the corruption of the demoniac. When the demons entered his life they made the poor man as homeless and foolish as they were. He was naked, in chains, and he felt at home only among the dead. Demons will blind their victims to their true spiritual condition… “For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked” (Revelation 3:17). The gospel of Jesus Christ offers deliverance to the demon oppressed and possessed… “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18). The same Spirit anoints those who proclaim His gospel today.

We see here the compassion of the Christ. Jesus offered both the demons and the victim a new home. The demons received a familiar and comfortable home in the bodies of pigs. The demoniac was delivered to a new life of freedom in Christ. In each case Jesus demonstrated that He truly is “Son of the Most High God” through His conquering compassion. Today we are reminded that whenever Christ’s compassion intersects our faith, demons are defeated… “’And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.’” (Mark 9:22-23).

As we grow up into Christ we proclaim spiritual victory to others through our growing faith in…

The Dominion that Defeats the Demons.

The Captain that Commands His Creation

One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they set out, and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?” (Luke 8:22-25).

The disciples followed the Lord into a boat for a cruise that had no revealed destination. If we read ahead we learn that Jesus had arranged a powerful appointment with some demonic forces on the other side of the lake, but for now we only see that the Master simply invited His disciples to “Go across to the other side of the lake”. Jesus was not immediately concerned about the physical terminus of this short journey. The Teacher was investing in a faith-building experience for His disciples. Even as He slept He commanded a windstorm to arise for this important lesson. The disciples were not concerned that the Captain slept as long as there was smooth sailing. But as soon as circumstances beyond their control threatened their very lives, they called on their Master. Christ settled the storm with a rebuke. Then He provoked the hearts of His disciples with a very pointed question… “Where is your faith?” The Spirit of Truth uses Luke’s pen to show truth seekers that Jesus was exhorting His disciples to place their faith in Him. In all of life, including life’s most horrific storms, Christ is the Captain that commands His creation.

Christ the Captain sails with us. Maturing disciples learn to live in the presence of Jesus at all times. This Captain did not send His crew off into the unknown and remain behind, safely on shore. Christ went with them. He is our companion in every part of this temporal, training camp of life that is preparing us for eternity with Him. Just as the tabernacle housed the presence of the Lord in the midst of the children of Israel as they journeyed through inhospitable lands and hostile nations on their way to the land of promise, Jesus promises to accompany faithful disciples on our journey toward Heaven… “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). He exhorts us to trust Him in every step along the way… “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me” (John 14:1).

Christ the Captain sets our course. Maturing disciples learn to follow the lead of the Master even when it’s not clear where we’re going. He is our coxswain. The coxswain is the person who is in charge of a ship's boat and its crew, under an officer, and who steers it. This trip was not about getting to the other side. It was about building and maturing faith. Just as Israel’s journey from slavery to freedom required 40 years of wilderness wandering, our journey toward Heaven requires many life-interrupting and faith-shaping trials… “You have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6-7).

Christ the Captain settles our seas. Maturing disciples learn to let the trials of life refocus and sharpen our faith in the sovereignty of Christ. This Captain is not merely in control of His boat and its crew. Christ demonstrated His sovereignty over the elements that surrounded and sought to consume His ship and its precious passengers. He is in control of our cruise through this temporal life. Just as the cloud and pillar of fire over the tabernacle was a warning that kept Israel’s enemies at bay during their wilderness wanderings, diligent disciples can trust the Lord to deal with circumstances and people that would seek to distract us from our journey and mission too… “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Evidence of growing faith in Christ is growing peace in the midst of the temporary trials of this life… “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

As we grow up into Christ maturing disciples have a growing faith in…

The Captain that Commands His Creation.

The Family that is Spawned by God's Word

Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.” But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it” (Luke 8:19-21).

There is much foolish talk today of redefining marriage and family. This is not a new phenomenon as history reveals that in the past several cultures have tampered with the natural order of the basic unit of society and every one of them has paid dearly for their misguided mischief. But did you know that Jesus Christ offered a fresh definition of family? He did not suggest a replacement of the natural family in this temporal world, but He offered a definition of the family from a higher perspective. Jesus defined the family that will last into eternity as based not on procreation, but on a new relationship born of trust and obedience to God’s Word. The Spirit moved the Apostle Peter to echo this truth… “You have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God” (1 Peter 1:23). Today we hear the Master teach that those who earnestly seek, search, and submit to Biblical truth will become true members of the family that is spawned by God’s Word.

Those who are born again into God’s family strenuously seek God’s Word. In today’s text we see that those naturally born into His family could not get close to Jesus because those spiritually born into His family were so numerous. One of the first evidences that we are truly born again is an overwhelming hunger for the spiritual nourishment of God’s Word… “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation” (1 Peter 2:2). Continuing assurance that we are born again and maturing disciples is an increasing hunger for more of the spiritual truth that nourishes our growing faith… “Everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:13-14). Those born of God’s Word strive to stay close to Jesus by being immersed in His Word… “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32). Does your relationship with God’s Word reflect that you are related to God’s Son?

Those who are born again into God’s family studiously search God’s Word. We are curious creatures. We love to study our world and each other. Our Creator has placed a longing in our hearts to know Him and the eternal world He calls home… “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). This longing compels the born again disciple to search the scriptures that reveal more about Jesus Christ… “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me” (John 5:39). With a new priority to know Him better, the diligent disciple spends much time searching the Bible for ever-increasing revelations of Jesus… “And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3). Does the priority God’s Word in your life reflect that you know God’s Son as Savior and Lord?

Those who are born again into God’s family sincerely submit to God’s Word. Jesus taught that true disciples are not those who merely hear God’s Word, but they believe and obey it. He taught that faithful obedience to God’s Word changes our eternal destiny from death to life… “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life” (John 5:24). Believing and obeying God’s Word continues the process of maturing our faith, equipping us to serve, and making us more like Jesus… “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Does your trust and obedience to God’s Word reflect that you are become more like God’s Son?

As we grow up into Christ diligent disciples are transformed and empowered by Biblical truth…

The Family that is Spawned by God’s Word.

The Lamp that Lights Our Way

“No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away” (Luke 8:16-18).

After teaching about the heart that bears fruit, Jesus used the imagery of a lamp to teach His disciples about the power of Biblical truth that is sown in a good fruit-bearing heart. The eager disciple cannot receive and simply hide God’s truth secretly in the heart. The life-changing power of Biblical truth transforms and overflows from the hungry heart and impacts the lives of others too. The illuminating energy of scriptural truth exposes the dark recesses in the hearts of men. The ever increasing brilliance of His truth leads the maturing disciple closer to the heart and mind of God. Today, the Spirit of Truth exhorts us to keep our hearts filled to overflowing with truth from God’s Word, the lamp that lights our way.

The fruit of God’s Word sown in a good heart displays the difference in true disciples. Those who hunger for God’s truth have a different focus. Their hearts cannot be satisfied by anything less than heavenly truth. Jesus reaffirmed this identifying mark of true disciples… “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone’” (Luke 4:4). True disciples recognize and are repelled by the foolishness and danger of worldly philosophy… “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8). Because they are seeking and believing ultimate truth in a relative world, real disciples live and speak differently. They have an eternal perspective, a heavenly goal, and a holy standard for life and faith… “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart” (1 Peter 1:22). Jesus promised that truth from God’s Word will set true disciples free from the deception of the world… “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32), and it will set us apart from the sin and temptation of the temporal world and keep us available to engage in Christ’s holy work… “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17).

The fruit of God’s Word sown in a good heart discloses the hidden evil in the hearts of others. The overflowing truth of God’s Word produces a life that confronts the hearts of others. It may be said that the best in a believing heart may bring out the worst in an unbelieving heart… “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:12-13).

The fruit of God’s Word sown in a good heart draws diligent disciples closer to Christ. Each newly discovered truth from God’s Word is a stepping stone toward deeper, richer truth… “And the word of the LORD will be to them precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little” (Isaiah 28:13). Truth from God’s Word leads to ever-increasing revelation of the heart and mind of Christ… “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me” (John 5:39). The more clearly the true believer sees Jesus, the more the Spirit transforms him into the image of Christ… “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

As we grow up into Christ diligent disciples are transformed and empowered by Biblical truth…

The Lamp that Lights Our Way.