Double Miracle | Miracles of Jesus Christ

Up until now we have seen the miracles of Jesus in three of the four Gospels. Today we will read about a double miracle that is only found in the book of Matthew. This account follows on the heels of the two miracles we read about last week: the 12 year old girl raised from the dead and the woman with the issue of blood healed after 12 years of suffering. Let's read the text first.

Matthew 9:27-31 And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed Him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us. And when He was come into the house, the blind men came to Him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto Him, Yea, Lord. Then touched He their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it. But they, when they were departed, spread abroad His fame in all that country.

After word spread about Jesus healing the woman who had been hemorrhaging for more than a decade and raising Jairus' daughter from the dead, people started seeking Jesus for their own miracles. Much like today, the world was in desperate need for a Savior, a Healer, and a Teacher. Two blind men were in need of one such miracle. The Bible says they beg Jesus to have mercy on them. Jesus went into a house and they followed Him. They wanted to see! Jesus point-blank asked them if they believed He was able to do this. Why was their faith in Him so important?

Imagine for a moment there is a pipe in the ground. The pipe is a conduit for water in our example. Now imagine there is a blockage of some sort in the pipe. The water is not able to flow freely through the pipe. The water cannot come out of the pipe, not because there is no water, but the water is not free to flow. Now think of our lives as that pipe. The blockage to our own miracles is often doubt, or unbelief. We simply do not trust God. The water is the power of God in this example. The problem is not that God does not have the power to perform miracles, but rather, His power does not flow through us when we do not believe.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Jesus wants these blind men to trust Him. He asks them specifically if they believe that He is able to restore their sight. These men said yes! What are you wanting God to do in your life? Do you trust Him to do it? If you want things like power, money, fame, notoriety, etc. you probably will not receive those things. God desires to be in fellowship with you. Often those things will lead to pride and selfishness instead of drawing you closer to Him. This is why we must be careful to check our motives when we are asking God for things.

1 John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us: And if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.

These men had confidence that Jesus was able to heal them and I believe they were expecting a miracle. Jesus did that for them. Their faith caused the power of God to flow freely in their lives. Others did not get the same flow of healing virtue because of doubt. We read about that just a few chapters later, and Mark's account agrees.

Matthew 13:57-58 And they were offended in Him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. And He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

Mark 6:4-6 But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And He could there do no mighty work, save that He laid His hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And He marvelled because of their unbelief. And He went round about the villages, teaching.

This text tells us that Jesus was amazed at their lack of faith! We must believe God is able to help us and if we do not have faith we cannot expect to receive anything from God. James 1:6-7 reads, But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

Once the blind men were healed Jesus sternly warned them not to tell anyone what happened. But as soon as they left they told everyone in the land what Jesus had done for them. Of course they were elated to have the gift of sight. They wanted others to rejoice in what the Lord had done for them. Why would Jesus not want them to tell anyone?

Friends I believe that Jesus did not want the focus to be on the miracles then or even now. Jesus died to save us from our sins. His precious blood was the currency to pay for our sin. The Bible says in Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Luke 22:14-20 And when the hour was come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. And He said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the Kingdom of God. And He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the Kingdom of God shall come. And He took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is My body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of Me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you.

Jesus tells the twelve that He earnestly desired to eat this special meal with them. He is telling them then and us now that the most important thing to remember is not the miracles, the loaves and the fishes, and all the supernatural things He did to help us have better lives. The most important thing to remember is the miracle of the cross! The redemption of His body and blood to save us from eternal separation from Him. 1 Corinthians 10:16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? Let's ask God for the things we need but do not seek the miracles, seek Jesus!

I have enjoyed studying the miracles of Jesus Christ with you all. I hope to continue these blog posts on Mondays beginning in November. We will continue to study them throughout the rest of this year. We are to read about these miracles and be encouraged and build our faith, but we must not forget that Jesus never came to perform miracles, but rather we know He came to save us.

John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.

I hope you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and are walking with Him. If not, please call upon the name of Jesus Christ and be saved today. He loves you so much that He took your punishment and offers you a free gift of eternal life with Him.

If you are saved and seeking a miracle, do not give up! God loves you and wants to help you and heal you. That might be instantaneous or it might be a journey, but the outcome is the same: He wants to draw you closer to Himself. Allow Him to transform your life!

I hope something I shared today has been strength for your journey and light for your way. God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens

Twelve Years, Two Miracles | Miracles of Jesus

Imagine in your mind two scenes. In a hospital room, you hear a baby take her first breath and cry. In the doctor's office, you see a worn out, tired woman who has just started hemorrhaging. The baby girl turns one year old and her family celebrates. The woman in the very same town is growing weaker after a full year of bleeding. On and on it goes. The little baby grows up to have 12 birthdays and the woman grows anemic and worn with each year that passes and another doctor, another specialist, visit after visit with less money in her pocket and no answers as she grows worse.

Matthew 9:18-21 While He spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped Him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live. And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did His disciples. And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind Him, and touched the hem of His garment: For she said within herself, If I may but touch His garment, I shall be whole.

Mark 5:21-28 And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto Him: and He was nigh unto the sea. And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw Him, he fell at His feet, And besought Him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray Thee, come and lay Thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. And Jesus went with him; and much people followed Him, and thronged Him. And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched His garment. For she said, If I may touch but His clothes, I shall be whole.

Luke 8:40-44a And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received Him: for they were all waiting for Him. And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought Him that He would come into his house: For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as He went the people thronged Him. And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living on physicians, neither could be healed of any, Came behind Him, and touched the border of His garment:

Jairus met Jesus. He explained that his 12 year old daughter was about to die and He begged Jesus to come to his house and heal his daughter. The Bible says Jesus went with him. On the way, something happens. No one knows there is a woman with "an issue of blood" in the crowd hoping for her miracle. She had suffered for 12 years with this problem. Jairus and Jesus do not know the woman is approaching Jesus. The woman does not know that Jesus is on His way to heal Jairus daughter.

Matthew 9:22 But Jesus turned Him about, and when He saw her, He said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

Mark 5:29-36 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that virtue had gone out of Him, turned Him about in the press, and said, Who touched My clothes? And His disciples said unto Him, Thou seest the multitude thronging Thee, and sayest Thou, Who touched Me? And He looked round about to see her that had done this thing. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before Him, and told Him all the truth. And He said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole, go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. While He yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

Luke 8:44b-50 And immediately her issue of blood stanched. And Jesus said, Who touched Me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with Him said, Master, the multitude throng Thee and and press Thee, and sayest Thou, Who touched Me? And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched Me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of Me. And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before Him, she declared unto Him before all the people for what cause she had touched Him, and how she was healed immediately. And He said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. While He yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.

Imagine how Jairus must have felt. They are walking towards his house where his daughter lay gravely ill. He has a glimmer of hope that Jesus will heal her and make her well. Then everything stops. There is a crowd of people pushing and shoving around Jesus. Jesus is no doubt bumped and touched and in contact with numerous hands all eager to touch Jesus and be near Him. Jesus stopped in the middle of the crowd and asks who has touched Him. He felt power leave His body and He knows there was a miracle performed. He takes His time with the woman who was healed from the 12 years of bleeding. She tells her story and they all listen. And in all three accounts Jesus calls this woman "Daughter." He does not call anyone else "Daughter" when He heals them. This is another connection. Jairus must be feeling anxious to get Jesus to his daughter so she can be healed. Then, the bad news came. Jairus' daughter is dead. No need to bother Jesus anymore. No doubt Jairus was devastated to hear that. Maybe he thought if they had not stopped to heal this woman she could have made it. Instead of feeling hope in his heart that Jesus will heal his daughter like He did this woman, his heart must have sank. Jesus tells Jairus to not fear but only believe and she will be made whole. If Jairus will trust Jesus a little longer, he will get what he has requested.

Matthew 9:23-26 And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed Him to scorn. But when the people were put forth, He went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose. And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.

Mark 5:37-43 And He suffered no man to follow Him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. And He cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. And when He was come in, He saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed Him to scorn. But when He had put them all out, He taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with Him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. And He took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha Cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment. And He charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

Luke 8:51-56 And when He came into the house, He suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. And all wept, and bewailed her: be He said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed Him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. And He put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and He commanded to give her meat. And her parents were astonished: but He charged them that they should tell no man what was done.

Jairus believed Jesus. The mother was desperate for a miracle. They wanted their daughter back and Jesus came through! He dismissed all the naysayers, the doubters, the unbelievers and then when only faith was in the room, Jesus did what only He can do and that is bring their daughter back from the dead. What a blessing! What an answer to prayer!! It was even more than Jairus and his wife could dare to hope for but they had to trust Jesus. I know when times were so hard that Jesus was all I had, it was then that I realized Jesus is all I ever need.

Maybe you need healing for your body. Maybe you have a loved one who has passed away. Maybe you are in the thick of the grief and pain. God loves you so much. He will meet you there. He will make a way out for you. He loves you! Jesus died on the cross to save you, heal you, and help you. He went back to the Father but He gave us the Comforter. I know last weekend the Comforter sustained us as we laid to rest my wonderful brother-in-law and beloved sister. It was with heavy hearts that we honored their memory one last time at the graveside. Yet we have the Blessed Hope because Steve and Deborah loved God with all their heart, soul, and strength. They lived their lives to honor and glorify God. They were mighty prayer warriors and powerful encouragers! Jesus will give you that same peace and comfort when you rely on Him to heal you and help you.

Friends, if you are reading this and you have not fully surrendered your life to Christ, please do so today! Do not put it off. You are not promised your next breath. We do not know when our time on earth will end, but He does. He is wooing you to Himself because He loves you so much. Please do not delay. Repent of your sins and ask Him to forgive you and to come into your heart and live! Let Him rule and reign in your life. You will never find peace and contentment apart from Him. He is who you have been searching for. Trust Him. Love Him. Lean on Him.

If you are walking with God, holding His unchanging hand, and trusting in His promises, friend do not let go. Dig deeper. Seek Him every single day. Pray to Him. Pray without ceasing. Lean on Him and tell others about Him. He will give you boldness to tell others the good things He is doing for you. Reach out to those around you who are hurting and encourage them to get to know Jesus. Pray for someone who is in need of healing and comfort. God will do it!

I hope that you have enjoyed the blog post today. I pray that something I shared today has been strength for your journey and light for your way. God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens

The Paralytic | Miracles of Jesus Christ

The Bible talks about a man who was paralyzed. He obviously needed to be healed but how was he supposed to get to Jesus? Did he have enough faith that Jesus could heal him? Did the man still have hope for a miracle?

We read that Jesus came into Capernaum and was teaching in a house. The crowd was so large you could not fit anyone else inside. There was no room for them to enter through the door. And in the crowd, Luke tells us there were Pharisees and doctors of the law from Galilee, Judaea, and Jerusalem. Luke also says, "The power of the Lord was present to heal them." I love that he included that. The presence of God was in that place and healing virtue was flowing.

How can a paralyzed man hope to get to Jesus in a crowd of that size? He had four friends who carried him on a cot to Jesus but after trying to get in, and seeing no other way, they carried him up to the roof and began disassembling it so they could create an opening large enough that they were able to lower the man down in front of Jesus. Because of their faith, Jesus healed the man. We do not know if the man believed Jesus could do it, but we do know that Jesus was moved by their faith.

Matthew 9:1-2 And He entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into His own city. And, behold, they brought to Him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.

Mark 2:1-5 And again He entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that He was in the house. And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and He preached the word unto them. And they come unto Him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. And when they could not come nigh unto Him for the press, they uncovered the roof where He was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. When Jesus saw their faith, He said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

Luke 5:17-20 And it came to pass on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them. And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before Him. And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus. And when He saw their faith, He said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.

Jesus knew the statement, "Thy sins are forgiven," would be controversial particularly with the Pharisees and doctors of the law. He could have said a lot of things to the man to heal him, but He chose to say this. I think it is for more than one reason. If the paralysis came upon the man because of sinful living, which is a real possibility, then Jesus would be giving the man a warning that He was healing the man and forgiving the sins, but not to go back to the old way of living. It was also to demonstrate His power.

Matthew 9:3-6 And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? But that ye may know that Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith He to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.

Mark 2:6-11 But there was certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? And immediately when Jesus perceived in His Spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, He said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (He saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.

Luke 5:21-24 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? But that ye may know that Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (He said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.

Jesus did not need to take a vote among the religious leaders and scribes to see if He could heal this man. Jesus did not need permission to say to the paralytic, "Your sins are forgiven." These things displayed the power of God and because of the large crowd that day, many were able to thank God and praise God for the miracle that took place before their very eyes. When Jesus told him to take up his bed, he did exactly that! Look at what our text says about this miraculous healing.

Matthew 5:7-8 And he arose, and departed to his house. But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.

Mark 2:12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

Luke 5:25-26 And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day.

Imagine the jubilee of the paralytic and his friends as they walked home. He was carried in and under the power of Almighty God, he walked home completely healed and forgiven. What a celebration! Those who saw it were in awe, amazement, and fear saying they had never seen someone healed that way and how strange it was to them. 

Friends, regardless of what you are facing, God has a purpose and a plan for your life. He will not force you to walk in that purpose or to follow His plan, but He definitely has it all figured out. If you will trust Him, He will make a change in your life, too. Do you need healing? Do you need to get closer to Him? Are you in need of forgiveness? Call upon the name of Jesus and you will receive your healing. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you, according to James 4:8. If you need forgiveness the Bible says in 1 John 1:9, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Don't put it off. Don't wait. Do not think you have plenty of time. Sunday my dear brother-in-law and my sweet sister were riding a motorcycle like they had done hundreds of times before. The weather was great for taking a ride and with helmets on they rode familiar paths. It was a day like any other. Only this time they were killed in an accident as someone hit them. I am rejoicing in knowing these powerful prayer warriors lived for God with everything they had. Often they would call me and sing to me and pray over me and give me encouraging words as I fought one battle after another. They were the first to cheer me on with my blog posts, YouTube videos, and prayer journals and things I made with Blue's Blessings. They are no doubt in the arms of Jesus and for that I am forever grateful. They made the decision to place their hands in the Master's and they never looked back.

You are not promised tomorrow. You are not promised your next breath. God wants you to be His child. Join His family by asking Jesus to come into your heart and save you. Admit you need a Savior and ask Him to forgive you for things you did knowingly and unknowingly. He is a loving Father who will accept you and heal you, help you, forgive you, and love you into His Kingdom.

I hope something I shared today has been strength for your journey and light for your way! God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens

Demons Enter Pigs | Miracles of Jesus Christ

Do you know that demons are real? Some Christians do not believe in their existence but in Jesus' ministry on the earth, He not only lets us know they are real, but that He has all power over them. The apostle Paul writes to us in the book of Ephesians, in chapter six, instructing us to fully suit up in the armor of God because we do not fight with human beings, but rather spiritual forces of darkness.

Matthew, Mark, and Luke share an eyewitness account of Jesus delivering those possessed of devils in today's study. One thing I was not sure about was a small detail Matthew includes, but Mark and Luke leave out. Matthew says two were possessed with devils, but Mark and Luke each only speak of one. Perhaps Matthew is speaking about both because of the impact it made on his own faith journey. Maybe Mark and Luke wrote about the one they felt had a bigger impact in the events that transpired that day. Regardless, we can read and study these stories and see how powerful God is. We can also see that demons are real and they know who Jesus is. Let's jump right in.

This particular miracle takes place on the heels of the disciples watching Jesus calm the storm. Do you remember that? If not, click here, and you can study that miracle. 

Matthew 8:28-29 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, 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?

Mark 5:1-8 And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. And when He was come out of the ship, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped Him, And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with Thee, Jesus, Thou Son of the Most High God? I adjure Thee by God, that Thou torment me not. For He said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.

Luke 8:26-29 And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee. And when He went forth to land, there met Him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with Thee, Jesus, Thou Son of God Most High? I beseech Thee, torment me not. (For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.)

Isn't this an incredible introduction to this miracle? There was a major storm on one side of the sea where Jesus displays His powerful ability to control nature and then on the other side of the sea another storm is brewing but this time it is inside the demon-possessed man. The disciples are about to encounter the power of God in a way they have never seen before.

It's important to study what is being said about this man. He is no longer in control of his body, his mind, his emotions, or his actions. He is exceeding fierce, according to Matthew's Gospel. This man is in torment day and night. While we are never told what happened to open the door for the enemy to invade his entire being like this, we do know that it had been going on for a long time. Others tried to tame him by putting him in chains and fetters but the forces of evil at work in his body would simply break them into pieces. There was no restraining this man, so instead of wearing clothes and living in a home like the rest of society, he was driven away by the devil into the wilderness and spent his time among the tombs. Imagine if all you ever saw was death, desolation, isolation, and torment day after day? No wonder the man would cry and he would take sharp rocks to cut himself. Perhaps he was hoping they would leave him alone if he gave them a way out?

The first thing the man did was run to Jesus and fall at His feet. The Scriptures say he worshipped Jesus. We know that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. These demons know who Jesus is and they know what He plans to do with them at the end of time. Notice they must get permission from Jesus before doing anything. They beg Him not to torment them. Isn't it interesting that they are tormenting spirits but they do not want to be tormented?

Mark 5:9-10 And He asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many. And he besought Him much that He would not send them away out of the country.

Luke 8:30-31 And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him. And they besought Him that He would not command them to go out into the deep. 

My study Bible footnote says this, "The deep is a place of confinement for spirits, the place where Satan will be bound during the millennium (Revelation 20:1-3). The demons, who called themselves "Legion," recognized Jesus. They knew that Jesus would command them to come out of the man. They begged Jesus not to send them into the deep, which referred to the "bottomless pit," or "dark abode of the dead."

Jesus asked the unclean spirit to identify itself. The name they gave was Legion because of the amount of unclean spirits that was living in that man. In those days, a Legion was a military term, and in the Roman army it would have been about 5,000 men. Legion means a multitude, so it could be thousands of demons in this case. As we read on, we know the fate of the demons and the swine they joined themselves to and if that number of pigs equals one devil we can estimate about how many demons were in this man.

Matthew 8:30-32 And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding. So the devils besought Him, saying, If Thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. 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.

Mark 5:11-13 Now there was nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. And all the devils besought Him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.

Luke 8:32-33 And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought Him that He would suffer them to enter into them. And He suffered them. Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked.

The Lord allowed the demons to enter the pigs who were grazing nearby. Swine is unclean beasts to the Jews, so maybe that is why Jesus allowed them to overtake the herd. We do not know exactly why they wanted to enter the pigs. What is interesting to me is that pigs know how to swim instinctively. The violent running off the steep cliff into the lake demonstrates the power of evil overtaking the will of the pigs. It is clear that Jesus is showing all those present that when evil forces take over your life it only leads to destruction and death. The miracle is the evidence of God's power over every force of darkness.

Mark 8:33-34 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. 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.

Mark 5:14-17 And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done. And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine. And they began to pray Him to depart out of their coasts.

Luke 8:34-37 When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country. Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed. Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought Him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and He went up into the ship, and returned back again.

The swine are dead and those who were responsible for feeding and caring for them ran back into town to tell the owners what happened. The owners of the swine meet up with Jesus and the man who was possessed with the devil and they want to know what happened. They all know the man from the tombs. They were unable to hold him or control him in any way. Now he sits calmly, fully clothed, and in his right mind beside Jesus. The men are terrified about what has taken place. They do not demand restitution for the loss of their herd. They do ask Jesus what they must do to have the same peace as this once tormented man now has. They decide they do not want to know anymore. They beg Jesus to leave their borders! Can you imagine seeing people so held by fear and disbelief that they kick Jesus out of their country? But the story is not over yet.

Mark 5:18-20 And when He was come into the ship, he that been possessed with the devil prayed Him that he might be with Him. Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.

Luke 8:34-39 Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought Him that he might be with Him: but Jesus sent him away, saying, Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.

The young man has his life back. He wants to do something great for God and so he wants to join Jesus on His mission to heal, save, and deliver. Jesus has other plans for him. He tells him to go evangelize in his own hometown. What better example of God's power and mercy than his own testimony? Imagine when he went home to see his mom and dad and he was able to hug them and have a real conversation. The excitement and joy he felt must have been explosive. The Bible tells us that he went to Decapolis and told everyone what Jesus had done and all of them marveled! They were all in awe of the power of God. He went throughout the whole city and no doubt others were changed, encouraged, blessed, and helped by his powerful testimony.

Friends we do not ever go through battles and afflictions for no reason. We also never go through pain and suffering just for our own benefit. Everything we face and overcome gives us a voice and a platform to share with others who may be struggling with the same things. We must go around sharing God's goodness and faithfulness with everyone we meet. Keep this miracle going by passing it on. Tell your story and let others be encouraged and find hope when things may seem bleak.

I have thoroughly enjoyed diving into this incredible miracle of Jesus Christ. I pray that something I shared today has been strength for your journey and light for your way. God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens