Jesus Heals the Demoniac

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.) 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. 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. 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. Luke 8:26 -36

Steps: 1, 2, 3, 11, 12

The disciples are in for another exciting event. The night before they had been in the storm and Jesus had rescued them. Now when they landed in the country of the Gadarenes they saw another scary sight – a man possessed by devils. This man was naked, cut himself with stones, and lived in the tombs. This man had often been bound by chains but he was so supernaturally strong that he could break the chains and wondered around the wilderness wailing in his agony. But when this man saw Jesus he cried out to Him the best that he could. Jesus called out the demons and allowed them to go into a herd of swine. The swine then ran down the steep place and into the lake where they were choked, or drowned. Jesus allowed this to happen to draw the attention of the people to their loss of money in the pigs, and to call their attention to the fact that Jesus had healed someone that they could not. This attention was to eventually win many souls to Christ.

Prayer for Today: God, You know that all of us have acted like this demon possessed individual at one time or another. Forgive us again, and help us to look to you with as much hope as this man did. Grant us victory over the things that bind us, and cause us confusion. Free us to worship You in purity and holiness.

Jesus Calms the Storm

Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him. Luke 8:22-25

Steps: 3, 11, 12

In this story Jesus and the disciples are traveling across what is called the Sea of Galilee. While traveling in the boat Jesus falls asleep and apparently the Sea of Galilee was big enough to have some pretty severe storms on its surface. While sleeping the storm arrives and threatens to fill the boat with rain and waves. The disciples fear for their lives and they call out to Jesus to help them. When Jesus sees what is happening he stands up and commands the storm to stop and it obeys Him. The disciples are totally stunned at what they saw and they do not know what to think of Jesus now. They had seen Him do many miracles and this one is beyond anything that their theology could predict. They are beginning to think that Jesus might be more even than a prophet. They are beginning to think that Jesus might be the Messiah the One sent directly from God to mankind. All through the gospels Jesus claims to have been sent from heaven by the Father. But even today that is a concept that is difficult for us to process. That God Himself, the Creator of the universe would come to Earth as a man requires much faith to believe such a thing but yet the data demanded this verdict.

Prayer for Today: God, You know how little faith we have. We want the facts and nothing but the facts and yet we are afraid of the conclusion that the facts are leading us to. Help us to look at these stories and draw the right conclusion – the You sent Your Son Jesus to come to Earth to show us how You think and act in the middle of chaos and confusion. Help us to have the confidence to ask for Your help in the middle of our crises, and help us not to use our proven failure methods to rescue us. Help us to find the faith necessary to work hand in hand with You. Deliver us from ourselves and our fears.

The Widow of Nain

And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about. Luke 7:11-17


Steps: 1, 2, 3, 11, 12

On the way to do His work for His Father He was led by God to come to the little city of Nain. When He arrived He saw a funeral procession and He saw the body of a young man who being grieved over by a widow. There must have been some kind of communication with the Holy Spirit because Jesus felt a special compassion for this woman. Apparently Jesus could tell that this woman was to be left alone with no support in the world. Her husband had died and now her son and she had no one to care for her in her age. But Jesus, seeing the funeral, had compassion on her and resurrected her son and returned him to her. When the people saw this, a great fear came over them and they believed that God had blessed them through Jesus. They did not yet perceive Jesus as the Messiah, and they did not see Him as God on Earth but they glorified the Father in heaven for displaying this wonderful miracle in their midst. They had some perception that an act of God had occurred.


Prayer for Today: Father, we thank You for being considerate to your people in need. We thank You that You know our needs and that you arrange for special things to happen to us. We ask Lord for even more. We have so many needs and perceptions of needs that sometimes we get immobilized by our needs. Please help us to look expectantly to You for more blessings and more helps. Thank You for being there for us. Teach us how to work cooperatively with You. Thank You again for Your mercies and love.

Jesus and the Centurion

Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick. Luke 7:1-10

Steps: 11, 12

When Jesus returned to the city of Capernaum a Roman Centurion asked the Jewish elders to come and speak to Jesus for him. The elders wanted Jesus to help the Centurion for the Centurion had been helpful to them even building them a synagogue. This was unusual behavior because the anger between the Jews and the Romans was bordering on warfare between the two groups of people – one the conquering nation and the other the slaves. Jesus chose to go with the elders and on the way to the Centurions house the Centurion sent a message to Jesus saying that it was not necessary for Jesus to come to His house to heal but just say the word and Jesus’ angel ambassadors would come and heal his servant. As the leader of a large number of soldiers he knew that all he had to do is speak and his will would be done. He did not have to go and see that it was done, he trusted in his soldiers. The Centurion had the same faith in the power of God to help and to serve. When Jesus heard this He said that He had not found such great faith in all of Israel. When Jesus heard about this faith He healed the servant and it was done.

Prayer for Today: Lord, help us to develop this level of faith. Most of us need all kinds of evidence in order to believe the simplest thing. Grant us the kind of belief that when we hear these kinds of stories about Jesus that our hope will grow until we ask these blessings for ourselves and for our loved ones. Thank You that You have gone out to find us and start the healing process. Help us to trust in Your care and believe that You really want to help us with our problems. Thank You for Your love.

Jesus Healed the Multitudes

And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all. Luke 6:17-19

Steps: 11, 12

Jesus had just been up in the mountains selecting His 12 disciples from amongst all of His disciples. He wanted a special core group of men upon which to build His church. After selecting them He then put them in a situation where they could see what Jesus wanted to do, and what He wanted His disciples to do – to heal and teach God’s people. A great multitude came to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases and their desire was granted to them. The people wanted to get close to Jesus for not only were they healed but virtue – the healing power of love – went out of Him and healed them all.

Prayer for Today: We want to get near You as well Father. Help us to accept how You have set things up. We want to know You, we want to hear Your truths, and we want to be healed from our dis-eases and our addictions. Grant us the healing power of Your love and bless us abundantly. We have been working on our defects for a long time and today we ask for Your blessings through Jesus, for in His name we ask these things – Amen.

Jesus’ Sabbath

And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue: And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other. Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all; And charged them that they should not make him known: Matthew 12:9-16

Steps: 4, 5, 6, 7, 11 ,12

Jesus went to church on the Sabbath, as His custom was, and fellowshipped with the Jewish people. They had a person in their midst who had a withered hand and they asked Jesus if was OK to heal someone on the Sabbath? Jesus told them a practical story and asked them if they would take care of an animal that fell in the pit, simply for financial benefit, but if a man were to fall into a pit they would tell the man to wait until after the Sabbath before they received any help at all. Jesus said that in the eyes of God, Himself, that a man is better than a sheep. Thus if one would find a man in a pit on the 7th day of the week, that it is ok to help that person even if were to fall on the Sabbath day. Jesus then tells the man to stretch out his hand and it was healed. The Pharisees, the Jewish leadership, were angry that Jesus would put the healing of a man as something worthy to be done even on the Sabbath day and they were so angry that they wanted to destroy Him. Thus in their heart and in their actions they showed that they were breaking the Sabbath day because they wanted to harm instead of heal.

Prayer for Today: What a story that is God to think that people wanted to kill on the Sabbath day while stating that they wanted to know the truth. These people were out to take care of themselves and did not want to know the Truth, for the Truth was standing in front of them trying to teach them. Please help us to not turn away from the Truth but to accept Him and His Sabbath days, and His healing in our own lives. Thank You for Your blessings to us.

The Call of Levi Matthew

And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. And he left all, rose up, and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them. But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners? And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Luke 5:27-32


Steps: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 11, 12

After healing the physical diseases of man Jesus turned now to the spiritual issues of life. He saw a man who was a publican – one who made his living by agreeing with Rome to be a collector of taxes for Rome. This opened the door to take unfair advantage of your neighbor with Rome being the enforcer if the people protested. This made the publicans a group of despised people and enemies of the Jewish people. So when Jesus met with Levi Matthew and asked him to follow Him the Pharisees and Sadducees thought that they could take advantage of this issue and try to turn the disciples against Jesus over the issue of association with perceived sinners/addicts. Jesus responded by telling them that He did not come to take care of people who did not need to be taken care of, but He came to call those who needed Him the most – the sick, the weak, the addicted. Their very need drew His attention for they needed Him.


Prayer for Today: God, we thank You that You are aware of our great need. We are embarrassed by our need, but You seem to be attracted to us because of our needs. Help us to respond positively to Your overtures to us and help us to accept Your gifts to us. Thank You that You would come to find us and to help us. We truly appreciate it.