October 15, 2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Matthew 8:14-34 - As Jesus would visit village after village large numbers of people would come to Him primarily to be healed.  He healed thousands and in so doing He fulfilled one of His purposes to taken upon Himself the infirmities and sickness of humanity.  Matthew's account of the healing of the demon-possessed men of the Gergesenes there were two men mentioned, whereas in other accounts only one man is spoken of.  Matthew is simply reporting that two men were in need, whereas the other accounts highlight the one man who perhaps stood out the most.

Mark 4 - The parables of Jesus are highlighted in this chapter.  He takes time, especially with the parable of the sower and the seed to explain the meaning to His disciples.  Obviously He knew how this parable would help His disciples what they should expect as they spread the "seeds of the Gospel" in their future ministries.  When the disciples got into the boat with Jesus in verse 35, Jesus said that they would be going to the "other side."  When the storm threatened the men, they seemed to forget what Jesus had promised.  Storm or no storm they would still have reached the "other side" simply because Jesus said so!

Mark 5 - In this account of Jesus healing the demon-possessed man you will note that after his healing, the man wanted to travel with Jesus, verse 18.  Jesus didn't allow him to, but told him to spread the news around that he was healed by Christ.  That man would be a living testimony to the power of Christ to fully change a person's life.  It is interesting to note that the woman Jesus healed from her bleeding had been afflicted for twelve years, verse 25.  The little girl that Jesus would raise from the dead was twelve years old, verse 42.  During that girl's lifetime, up to that day, the older woman had been suffering all that time.  There are times when the Lord allows an affliction to last for years but He still gives the strength to endure.