Evening of that same day
he said, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake”, and they left there by boat.
They launched out, and sailed off as Jesus fell asleep on a cushion in the back of the boat. The winds grew heavier until a big storm had come down on the lake. Waves smacked the boat, and he was still sleeping. They were taking on dangerous amounts of water, and finally woke Jesus up (as they were scared to death).
Once awake; Jesus scolded the wind and the water. He said, “Peace; Be still.”
THE WIND STRAIGHT STOPPED! He turned to his crew asking, “Why are you so scared? How is it that you have no faith… where is your faith?” As their brows furrowed with confusion mumbled through fear, someone was heard wondering, “Who is this, that wind and water obey him?”
They arrived at the other side of the sea, opposite Galilee (currently named the “Golan Heights”).
A notorious man, controlled by evil, lived close by. The authorities had tried to hold him, but could not (even using chains). Even though he no longer lived around people, he could be heard at night wailing and crying out from the tombs and mountains. The fact that he walked around naked made his self-mutilating cutting of himself with stones on display for all to see.
Jesus stepping on shore was like a doorbell. This uncontrollable force in a sore covered naked man’s body started running straight for Jesus – full speed. Each person seemed to hold their breath and looked to run. As he was just close enough to pounce… he fell down at Jesus feet!
Jesus was commanding, “Come out of this man… you dirty spirit.”
He begged Jesus asking, “What do I have to do with you? Jesus, you… Son of the Most High God… I beg you… by God… don’t torture me!”
Jesus asked, “What’s your name?”
He answered, “My name is Legion, because ‘we’ are many.” As the begging ranged from avoiding being “sent out of the country” to, “not being sent into the abyss!” Some 2,000 pigs were snorting around close by. This wretched mess of an individual asked (and Jesus agreed) for them to enter the pigs. This herd, as if on cue, together ran into the sea and drowned themselves. Even for men with a Jewish worldview of pigs, this was horrific to watch.
Those employed to care for the pigs ran to report everything. As the crowd approached Jesus; the story of the pigs all killing themselves at the same time was scary enough, but (as they arrived on the scene) this feared force of a man had clothes on and was… free of his historic evil. He asked to follow Jesus, but was told, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things God has done for you (and how he had mercy on you).” The people were so afraid they could only beg Jesus to leave.
The man went his way, and began to announce throughout the Golan Heights how Jesus had done great things for him… and everyone marveled.
Getting back in the boat, they returned home.
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Jesus Words 16
SOURCE
TEXTS:
This post includes all Jesus’ words from:
CLARIFIED
WORDING:
Bible Dictionary: a list of Bible words and phrases (typically Jesus’ words) which don’t have clear meaning when used in daily talk, and are simplified / culturally paraphrased in this story – in pursuit of understanding.
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