Daily D – Luke 8:37-39
Luke 8:37-39
And all the people in the region of the Gerasenes begged Jesus to go away and leave them alone, for a great wave of fear swept over them. So Jesus returned to the boat and left, crossing back to the other side of the lake. The man who had been freed from the demons begged to go with him. But Jesus sent him home, saying, “No, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.” So he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him. (NLT)
Later, a great many people from the Gerasene countryside got together and asked Jesus to leave—too much change, too fast, and they were scared. So Jesus got back in the boat and set off. The man whom he had delivered from the demons asked to go with him, but he sent him back, saying, “Go home and tell everything God did in you.” So he went back and preached all over town everything Jesus had done in him. (MSG)
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There’s a whole lotta going going on in this story (verses 26-39). There’s a whole lotta going on in this chapter.
Some people tell Jesus to go away. He is too different. It’s a good difference, but he’s just too different. He makes it too hard to get what you want the way you want to get it. He does everything the right way. It’s best if he keeps his distance.
Rewind to verse 1 in this chapter and peruse the goings on.
1. Jesus began a tour of the towns and villages preaching the Good News about the Kingdom of God. His disciples and some women who supported him from their resources joined him (verses 1-3).
2. Jesus told a familiar parable about soils and seeds to a large crowd (verses 4-8).
3. Jesus explained the parable to his disciples (verses 9-15).
4. Jesus added another parable about lost light, listening and understanding, hearing and obeying (verses 16-18).
5. Jesus elevated all his followers to his Friends and Family Plan (verses 19-21).
6. Jesus calmed a storm, and his disciples, after they woke him from a nap (verses 22-25).
To recap:
* Jesus carries the best news possible everywhere he goes and offers it to everyone he encounters.
* Jesus tells stories people hear with delight and remember forever because of how they enlarge their understanding and empower their application of God’s truth.
* Jesus takes time to explain what confuses even those who should understand most clearly.
* Jesus continues expanding the horizons of his followers.
* Jesus repeatedly demonstrates how he is in charge of all things at all times, including the weather and the demonized.
Even with all of this, some people want him to go away. He is too much. He is too good to be true. He disrupts everything.
I have a simple, urgent request: Please, whatever you do, do not send Jesus away. He is everything you could want and more than you can imagine. If he seems a little much for you, get good at adapting to his overflowing, enveloping, unending love, purpose, and provision.
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I will receive all of Jesus I can get.
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Our Father, you are welcome to do anything you want in my life. Your every intention is better than good. Your every purpose is better than the best. Your every provision is more than I deserve or could desire. Why would I look in any other direction for anything? Amen.
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